Spin-polarized lasing in a photonic lattice

TL;DR

This study demonstrates spin-polarized lasing in a two-dimensional photonic lattice made from GaAs/InGaAs microcavities, showing controllable polarization and extended coherence, advancing spin-controlled photonic devices.

Contribution

First demonstration of spin-polarized lasing in a 2D photonic lattice with controllable polarization and extended spatial coherence.

Findings

Transition from strong-coupling to photon lasing observed.

Emitted light's circular polarization follows pump polarization.

Extended spatial coherence across multiple lattice units.

Abstract

We characterize spin-polarized lasing in a two-dimensional photonic lattice fabricated from a GaAs/InGaAs semiconductor microcavity sample. The lattice is defined by a staggered arrangement of rounded rectangular micrometric mesas that laterally confine and couple the optical modes. Polarization-, angle-, and energy-resolved micro-photoluminescence measurements reveal the transition from the strong-coupling regime to photon lasing, accompanied by extended spatial coherence across several lattice unit cells. Under circularly polarized nonresonant excitation, the emitted light acquires a controllable circular polarization whose handedness follows that of the pump. These results establish photonic-lattice VCSELs as a platform for spin-controlled coherent emission in extended optical systems.