COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Nanobeam Lasers

本研究的目标是开发低阈值、高开关速度、可编程/可重构的单模纳米激光器。拟议的变革性计划将解决与纳米激光器有关的重要问题，包括电注入和可调谐。拟议计划的智力优势在于对亚波长尺度纳米空间中的光学过程的基本了解，材料生长技术的发展，以及具有以下特征的纳米激光器的演示：i)物理足迹比最先进的技术小20-30倍，ii)电注入，iii)宽可调(数十纳米)。基于穿孔一维孔的光波导的光子晶体纳米束腔，能够有效地控制亚波长尺度的自发辐射。此外，它们的物理足迹与光波导完全相同，因此，它们代表了最小的高Q腔几何形状。最后，通过利用它们的灵活性，可以在很大的波长范围内实现动态波长可调，而稳态功耗可以忽略不计。拟议计划的更广泛影响是开发高效光产生、收集和定位的技术和设备，应用范围从光学和量子光通信到生命科学和生物化学传感。该项目为学生提供了一个独特的跨学科研究和教育机会，包括激光理论和设计、外延材料生长、纳米制造和器件表征。该计划的一个重要组成部分是拓展：团队成员将继续与波士顿科学博物馆合作，参与高中物理课程的开发，并参与本科生研究经验计划。

The objective of this research is the development of low-threshold, high-switching speed, programmable/reconfigurable, single-mode nanolasers. The proposed transformative program will address important problems that pertain to nanolasers including electrical injection and tunability.The intellectual merits of the proposed program are in the fundamental understanding of optical processes in sub-wavelength scale nanocavities, development of material growth techniques, and demonstration of nanolasers with following features: i) physical footprint 20-30 times smaller than state-of-the-art, ii) electrical injection, iii) wide tunability (tens of nanometers). The photonic crystal nanobeam cavities, based on an optical waveguide perforated with 1-D lattice of holes, enable efficient control of spontaneous emission at sub-wavelength-scale. Furthermore, their physical footprint is exactly the same as that of an optical waveguide, and therefore, they represent the smallest possible high-Q cavity geometry. Finally, by taking advantage of their flexibility, dynamical wavelength tunability over a wide wavelength range, with negligible steady-state power consumption, can be achieved. The broader impact of the proposed program is the development of techniques and devices for efficient light generation, collection, and localization, with applications ranging from optical and quantum-optical communication to life sciences and bio-chemical sensing. The program represents a unique interdisciplinary research and educational opportunity for students that encompass laser theory and design, epitaxial material growth, nanofabrication, and device characterization. An essential component of the program is outreach: the team members will continue their collaboration with Museum of Science in Boston, their involvement in the development of high-school physics curricula, and participation in Research Experience for Undergraduates program.