Lasers incorporating two-dimensional photonic crystal mirrors

Abstract

Photonic bandgap crystals are expected to be of use in defining microcavities for modifying spontaneous emission and as highly reflective mirrors. There are several reports of microfabricating one-dimensional structure. Here, we describe the incorporation of a microfabricated two-dimensional photonic lattice in an edge-emitting semiconductor laser structure. We demonstrate laser operation in a cavity formed between a cleaved facet and a microfabricated periodic lattice.