Quantum-Dot Photonic-Crystal Surface-Emitting Lasers with Bottom Distributed Bragg Reflector

Quantum-dot (QD) photonic-crystal (PC) surface-emitting laser (SEL) devices with bottom distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) were fabricated based on vertical-cavity SEL structure with top DBR completely removed. Two-dimensional (2D) PCs were deeply etched through QD multilayers to yield strong diffraction coupling. Room-temperature optically pumped lasing emissions at 1194 nm and 1296 nm were demonstrated for two lattice periods of 360 nm and 395 nm, respectively. Two lasing wavelengths separated over 100 nm; however, there were less than two times difference in threshold power densities while slope efficiencies were comparable. The unique spectral gain characteristics of QDs were considered in interpretation of gain-cavity detuning. Moreover, simulation revealed the sub-cavity should be designed so that its resonant wavelength is in phase with lasing wavelength.