Carrier dynamics and modulation properties of selective area epitaxial quantum structures in dielectric nanophotonic cavities for high speed and energy efficient lasers
Abstract
The overall project goal is to investigate theoretically and experimentally carrier dynamics and modulation properties of low dimensional quantum structures in heterostructure photonic crystal cavities for high modulation bandwidth and high energy efficient emitters. Selective area epitaxial Quantum dots (SAE-QDs) with high density and high homogeneity will be investigated to potentially unlock the full potentials of these artificial atoms with high quantum efficiency, high differential gain, and temperature insensitive physical properties. The coupling of these SAE-QDs with both traditional and nanoscale dielectric optical cavities will also be investigated with modified spontaneous emission and controlled light-matter interactions for lasers with low lasing threshold, high modulation bandwidth and low damping, high operation temperatures. The ultimate scaling towards attojoule (aJ) energy efficiency and athermal operation will also be analyzed, with strategies in active material volume scaling, strain engineering and optical cavity scaling. The proposed research has significant scientific and technical significance. Through a coupled theoretical and experimental research approach, the physical properties of the SAE-QDs can be improved towards the theoretical limit of ideal QDs. The research can offer a powerful tool for scientific quests towards scaling and ultimate limit of materials and light-matter interactions, with potentially new scientific discoveries. It can ultimately remove the bottleneck of scaling misfit between electronics and photonics and offer an ultimate solution to the multi-functional platform, with revolutionary influence in many areas of science, technology and everyday life. This research will also have direct and positive impact on the attraction and research training of both undergraduate and graduate students, including those from under-represented groups, supported by this project in multi-disciplinary areas that are core of critical importance to DoD.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 21, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910108
Entities
People
- Weidong Zhou
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Texas at Arlington