An integrable, electrically pumped photonic crystal nanocavity

Stanford researchers have patented a design for electronically pumping photonic crystal membrane nanocavities using a lateral p-i-n junction. The p-i-n junction can be defined by any number of methods, including ion implantation, regrowth, or diffusion doping. The junction is designed to direct current flow into the nanocavity region, which acts as a 'hall of mirrors to reflect photons back toward the center of the laser.' As a result, the device operates more efficiently, at a lower threshold voltage and higher speed. This technique is compatible with arbitrary photonic crystal designs, and any photonic crystal device that uses a nanocavity, including:

This easy to fabricate technology facilitates high-volume manufacturing of photonic devices, as well as integrating photonic circuits, complex photonic chips, and high-performance biomedical sensors.

Stage of Development – Prototype
Researchers in the Nanoscale and Quantum Photonics Lab have demonstrated an electrically pumped laser that is both easy to manufacture and delivers dramatically reduced energy consumption.