Ultra-low threshold polariton lasing in photonic crystal cavities

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates ultra-low threshold polariton lasing in photonic crystal cavities with thresholds as low as 120 nW, significantly below conventional photon lasing thresholds, using InP membranes with InAsP quantum wells.

Contribution

The study provides the first experimental evidence of polariton lasing in photonic crystal cavities at ultra-low thresholds, advancing the understanding of low-power coherent light sources.

Findings

Polariton lasing observed at thresholds as low as 120 nW.

Conventional photon lasing requires much higher pump power.

Lasing occurs below the Mott transition, indicating strong exciton-photon coupling.

Abstract

The authors show clear experimental evidence of lasing of exciton polaritons confined in L3 photonic crystal cavities. The samples are based on an InP membrane in air containing five InAsP quantum wells. Polariton lasing is observed with thresholds as low as 120 nW, below the Mott transition, while conventional photon lasing is observed for a pumping power one to three orders of magnitude higher.