Abstract

We investigate the two families of two-dimensional photonic crystal microlasers that are classified according to the approach used for the lateral confinement of the light (via trapping photons in a microcavity or via slowing down optical modes at an extreme of the dispersion characteristics), with a special emphasis on the characteristics of devices below and at laser threshold. The respective merits and drawbacks of the two families are analyzed in the light of an analytical modeling and of experimental results obtained on a variety of microlaser devices. The latter are processed in an InP-membrane heterostructure bounded onto silica on silicon. Promising prospects, which are expected from the combination of the two confinement approaches, are discussed.

© 2005 Optical Society of America

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