Photonic crystals as functional mirrors for semiconductor lasers
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Date
30/11/2008Author
Supervisor
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Abstract
In recent years, interest has grown in the research fields of semiconductor lasers
and photonic crystals. This thesis looks at integrating photonic crystals into
existing semiconductor laser technology to act as functional laser mirrors.
The majority of the research is conducted on a quantum-dot material system.
The surface recombination velocity of a GaAs based quantum-dot material is
shown to be a similar value to InP material. This allows the creation of fine
photonic crystal structures in the laser design without high threshold current
penalties.
The spectral reflection properties of a one dimensional photonic crystal is
studied and found to be an unsuitable candidate for a stand-alone laser mirror,
due to its low reflectivity.
A two-dimensional photonic crystal W3 defect waveguide is successfully integrated as a quantum-dot laser mirror. Single fundamental mode output is
achieved with a typically multi-mode 20 μm wide laser mesa, highlighting the
mode selective property of the mirror.
A similar two-dimensional mirror is studied for its potential as a dispersion
compensating mirror for mode-locked lasers. Initial theoretical analysis shows
pulse compression for a suitably designed mirror. Experimental continuous-
wave results for the same mirror structure demonstrate the tuning of mirror
reflectivity with photonic crystal hole radius.
A hybrid silicon-organic photonic crystal laser is demonstrated with output
in the visible spectrum. This design is a new type of silicon emitter.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/
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