Microcavity Laser Oscillating in a Circuit-Based Resonator

Abstract

Small Is Beautiful Shrinking the size of lasers is attractive because it generally leads to a reduction in power requirements, an increase in switching speed, and possibly a cleaner output. Walther et al. (p. 1495 ) combined patterned electronic components (inductor and capacitor) and an active gain material to develop a submillimeter laser that emits in the microwave regime at low temperature. The use of established patterning techniques and tunable superlattice structures offer the prospect of shrinking the size still further, as well as providing a route to designer laser output for high-speed information transport and optical processing.