Dynamically Switchable Polarization Lasing between q-BIC and Bragg Resonance Modes

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel polarization-switchable DFB laser that transitions between q-BIC and Bragg resonance modes via pump polarization control, enhancing tunability and robustness for advanced nanophotonics applications.

Contribution

The work introduces a microcavity design enabling polarization-controlled switching between dual q-BIC and Bragg lasing modes, surpassing previous polarization constraints in DFB lasers.

Findings

Achieved polarization switching between q-BIC and Bragg modes.

Demonstrated robustness across varying waveguide thickness and period.

Extended DFB laser capabilities for nanophotonics applications.

Abstract

Quasi-bound states in the continuum (q-BICs) enable low-threshold lasing through high-Q cavity modes, yet their polarization tunability remains constrained by nanostructure-imposed cavity symmetries. By engineering a microcavity with an optimized duty cycle (0.34), we demonstrate a polarization-switchable distributed feedback (DFB) laser with controlled emission transitions between dual off-{\Gamma} q-BIC lasing and single {\Gamma}-point Bragg resonance (BR) lasing through switching pump polarization. The switching mechanism shows unprecedented robustness in varying waveguide thickness and photonic crystal period of DFB structures. Our findings extend the capabilities of DFB lasers beyond their conventional limits, opening opportunities for nanophotonics, classical and quantum optics applications.