Advances in small lasers

Martin T Hill, Malte Christian Gather

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Small lasers have dimensions or modes sizes close to or smaller than the wavelength of emitted light. In recent years there has been significant progress towards reducing the size and improving the characteristics of these devices. This work has been led primarily by the innovative use of new materials and cavity designs. This Review summarizes some of the latest developments, particularly in metallic and plasmonic lasers, improvements in small dielectric lasers, and the emerging area of small bio-compatible or bio-derived lasers. We examine the different approaches employed to reduce size and how they result in significant differences in the final device, particularly between metal- and dielectric-cavity lasers. We also present potential applications for the various forms of small lasers, and indicate where further developments are required.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)908-918
Number of pages11
JournalNature Photonics
Volume8
Issue number12
Early online date27 Nov 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2014

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