Dynamics of Quantum Dot Photonic Crystal Lasers

Quantum dot photonic crystal membrane lasers were fabricated and the large signal modulation characteristics were studied. We find that the modulation characteristics of quantum dot lasers can be significantly improved using cavities with large spontaneous emission coupling factor. Our experiments show, and simulations confirm, that the modulation rate is limited by the rate of carrier capture into the dots to around 30GHz in our present system

Photonic crystal chips for optical interconnects and quantum information processing

We have recently demonstrated a number of functional photonic crystals devices and circuits, including an ultrafast, room temperature, low threshold, nanocavity laser with the direct modulation speed approaching 1 THz, an all-optical switch controlled with 60 fJ pulses and with the speed exceeding 200Hz, and a local, reversible tuning of individual quantum dots on a photonic crystal chip by up to 1.8nm, which was then used to tune single quantum dots into strong coupling with a photonic crystal cavity and to achieve a giant optical nonlinearity

Ultra-low threshold, electrically pumped quantum dot photonic crystal nanocavity laser

Efficient, low threshold, and compact semiconductor laser sources are being investigated for many applications in high-speed communications, information processing, and optical interconnects. The best edge-emitting and vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have thresholds on the order of 100 \muA[1,2] but dissipate too much power to be practical for many applications, particularly optical interconnects[3]. Optically pumped photonic crystal (PC) nanocavity lasers represent the state of the art in low-threshold lasers[4,5]; however, in order to be practical, techniques to electrically pump these structures must be developed. Here we demonstrate a quantum dot photonic crystal nanocavity laser in gallium arsenide pumped by a lateral p-i-n junction formed by ion implantation. Continuous wave lasing is observed at temperatures up to 150 K. Thresholds of only 181 nA at 50 K and 287 nA at 150 K are observed - the lowest thresholds ever observed in any type of electrically pumped laser

Photonic crystal chips for optical communications and quantum information processing

We discuss recent our recent progress on functional photonic crystals devices and circuits for classical and quantum information processing. For classical applications, we have demonstrated a room-temperature-operated, low threshold, nanocavity laser with pulse width in the picosecond regime; and an all-optical switch controlled with 60 fJ pulses that shows switching time on the order of tens of picoseconds. For quantum information processing, we discuss the promise of quantum networks on multifunctional photonic crystals chips. We also discuss a new coherent probing technique of quantum dots coupled to photonic crystal nanocavities and demonstrate amplitude and phase nonlinearities realized with control beams at the single photon level

Implementing sustainable drainage systems for urban surface water management within the regulatory framework in England and Wales

The UK 2007 floods resulted in damages estimated to exceed over £4 billion. This triggered a national review of strategic flood risk management (Pitt, 2008) with its recommendations informing and implemented by the Flood and Water Management, Act (FWMA, 2010). Estimating that up to two-thirds of properties flooded in the 2007 event as a direct result of overloaded sewer systems, the FWMA set out an ambitious overhaul of flood risk management approaches including identifying bodies responsible for the management of local flood risk (local municipalities) and the development of over-arching Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) at a regional level. LLFAs duties include developing local flood risk management strategies and, aligned with this, many LLFAs and local municipalities produced sustainable drainage system (SUDS) guidance notes. In parallel, changes to the national planning policy framework (NPPF) in England give priority to the use of SUDS in new major developments, as does the related Town and Country Planning Order (2015). However, whilst all three pieces of legislation refer to the preferential use of SUDs, these requirements remain “economically proportionate” and thus the inclusion of SUDS within development controls remain desirable - but not mandatory - obligations. Within this dynamic policy context, reignited most recently by the December 2015 floods, this paper examines some of the challenges to the implementation of SUDS in England and Wales posed by the new regulatory frameworks. In particular, it examines how emerging organisational procedures and processes are likely to impact on future SUDS implementation, and highlights the need for further cross-sectoral working to ensure opportunities for cross-sectoral benefits– such as that accrued by reducing stormwater flows within combined sewer systems for water companies, property developers and environmental protection – are not lost

Electrically driven photonic crystal nanocavity devices

Interest in photonic crystal nanocavities is fueled by advances in device performance, particularly in the development of low-threshold laser sources. Effective electrical control of high performance photonic crystal lasers has thus far remained elusive due to the complexities associated with current injection into cavities. A fabrication procedure for electrically pumping photonic crystal membrane devices using a lateral p-i-n junction has been developed and is described in this work. We have demonstrated electrically pumped lasing in our junctions with a threshold of 181 nA at 50K - the lowest threshold ever demonstrated in an electrically pumped laser. At room temperature we find that our devices behave as single-mode light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which when directly modulated, have an ultrafast electrical response up to 10 GHz corresponding to less than 1 fJ/bit energy operation - the lowest for any optical transmitter. In addition, we have demonstrated electrical pumping of photonic crystal nanobeam LEDs, and have built fiber taper coupled electro-optic modulators. Fiber-coupled photodetectors based on two-photon absorption are also demonstrated as well as multiply integrated components that can be independently electrically controlled. The presented electrical injection platform is a major step forward in providing practical low power and integrable devices for on-chip photonics.Comment: 10 pages, 13 figure

Nanobeam photonic crystal cavity quantum dot laser

The lasing behavior of one dimensional GaAs nanobeam cavities with embedded InAs quantum dots is studied at room temperature. Lasing is observed throughout the quantum dot PL spectrum, and the wavelength dependence of the threshold is calculated. We study the cavity lasers under both 780 nm and 980 nm pump, finding thresholds as low as 0.3 uW and 19 uW for the two pump wavelengths, respectively. Finally, the nanobeam cavity laser wavelengths are tuned by up to 7 nm by employing a fiber taper in near proximity to the cavities. The fiber taper is used both to efficiently pump the cavity and collect the cavity emission.Comment: 8 pages; 6 figure

Ultrafast photonic crystal nanocavity lasers and, optical switches

We have recently demonstrated an ultrafast photonic crystal laser and cavity coupled laser array with modulation rates of 1THz at room temperature, a 20 GHz optical modulator with activation energies of 60 fJ and a quantum dot photonic crystal laser with large signal modulation rates of 30GHz. These devices are enabled by the enhanced light-matter interaction in photonic crystals, and serve as the building blocks of on-optical information processing circuits