Abstract
We review and compare recent results on the design and fabrication of semiconductor microring and microdisk lasers for applications in all-optical switching and signal processing. The design of the optical cavities will be analyzed in detail with a strong emphasis on the evaluation of the various loss mechanisms. Both lithographic and etching technologies were thoroughly optimized to ensure high-resolution patterning and deep and vertical waveguide sidewalls. The majority of the fabricated devices exhibited continuous wave operation down to 7 μm and strong unidirectional bistability down to device footprints as small as 30 μm. While both microdisks and microrings show similar behaviour for medium radii (30-60 μm), in smaller devices the microdisk geometry shows much lower losses and better performance.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of SPIE 7230, Novel In-Plane Semiconductor Lasers VIII, 72300I |
Editors | Alexey A. Belyanin, Peter M. Smowton |
Place of Publication | San Jose |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 24 Jan 2009 |
Keywords
- semiconductor micro-ring
- micro-disk lasers
- all-optical switching