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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: C. Martijn de Sterke
  • Vol. 17, Iss. 25 — Dec. 7, 2009
  • pp: 23265–23271

Optics InfoBase > Optics Express > Volume 17 > Issue 25 > Page 23265

Ultra-low-threshold Er:Yb sol-gel microlaser on silicon

Hsiu-Sheng Hsu, Can Cai, and Andrea M. Armani  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 17, Issue 25, pp. 23265-23271 (2009)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.17.023265


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Abstract

Ultra-low threshold lasers which operate in the telecommunications band and which can be integrated with other CMOS compatible elements have numerous applications in satellite communications, biochemical detection and optical computing. To achieve sub-mW lasing thresholds, it is necessary to optimize both the gain medium and the pump method. One of the most promising methods is to use rare-earth ions in a co- or tri-dopant configuration, where the lasing of the primary dopant is enhanced by the secondary one, thus improving the efficiency of the overall system. Here, we demonstrate an Erbium:Ytterbium co-doped microcavity-based laser which is lithographically fabricated on a silicon substrate. The quality factor and pump threshold are experimentally determined for a series of erbium and ytterbium doping concentrations, verifying the inter-dependent relationship between the two dopants. The lasing threshold of the optimized device is 4.2 μW.

© 2009 OSA

OCIS Codes
(160.5690) Materials : Rare-earth-doped materials
(140.3948) Lasers and laser optics : Microcavity devices

ToC Category:
Lasers and Laser Optics

History
Original Manuscript: October 30, 2009
Revised Manuscript: December 1, 2009
Manuscript Accepted: December 2, 2009
Published: December 3, 2009

Citation
Hsiu-Sheng Hsu, Can Cai, and Andrea M. Armani, "Ultra-low-threshold Er:Yb sol-gel microlaser on silicon," Opt. Express 17, 23265-23271 (2009)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-17-25-23265


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