Higher-order defect-mode laser in an optically thick photonic crystal slab

Abstract

The use of an optically thick slab may provide versatile solutions for the realization of a current injection-type laser using photonic crystals. Here, we show that a transversely higher-order defect mode can be designed to be confined by a photonic bandgap in such a thick slab. Using simulations, we show that a high Q of >10^5 is possible from a finely tuned second-order hexapole mode (2h). Experimentally, we achieve optically pumped pulsed lasing at 1347 nm from the 2h with a peak threshold pump power of 88 μW.