One-dimensional planar topological laser

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Abstract

Topological interface states are formed when two photonic crystals with overlapping band gaps are brought into contact. In this work, we show a planar binary structure with such an interface state in the visible spectral region. Furthermore, we incorporate a thin layer of an active organic material into the structure, providing gain under optical excitation. We observe a transition from fluorescence to lasing under sufficiently strong pump energy density. These results are the first realization of a planar topological laser, based on a topological interface state instead of a cavity like most of other laser devices. We show that the topological nature of the resonance leads to a so-called "topological protection", i.e. stability against layer thickness variations as long as inversion symmetry is preserved: even for large changes in thickness of layers next to the interface, the resonant state remains relatively stable, enabling design flexibility superior to conventional planar microcavity devices.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2459-2465
Number of pages7
JournalNANOPHOTONICS
Volume10
Issue number9
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85108068682

Keywords

Keywords

  • laser, microcavity, photonic crystal, topological photonics

Library keywords