Ultrafast Dynamics of Lasing Semiconductor Nanowires

Roeder R, Sidiropoulos TPH, Tessarek C, Christiansen S, Oulton RF, Ronning C (2015)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2015

Journal

Nano Letters American Chemical Society

Book Volume: 15

Pages Range: 4637-4643

Journal Issue: 7

DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b01271

Abstract

Semiconductor nanowire lasers operate at ultrafast timescales; here we report their temporal dynamics, including laser onset time and pulse width, using a double-pump approach. Wide bandgap gallium nitride (GaN), zinc oxide (ZnO), and cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanowires reveal laser onset times of a few picoseconds, driven by carrier thermalization within the optically excited semiconductor. Strong carrier-phonon coupling in ZnO leads to the fastest laser onset time of ∼1 ps in comparison to CdS and GaN exhibiting values of ∼2.5 and ∼3.5 ps, respectively. These values are constant between nanowires of different sizes implying independence from any optical influences. However, we demonstrate that the lasing onset times vary with excitation wavelength relative to the semiconductor band gap. Meanwhile, the laser pulse widths are dependent on the optical system. While the fastest ultrashort pulses are attained using the thinnest possible nanowires, a sudden change in pulse width from ∼5 to ∼15 ps occurs at a critical nanowire diameter. We attribute this to the transition from single to multimode waveguiding, as it is accompanied by a change in laser polarization.

Involved external institutions

Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena DE Germany (DE) Imperial College London / The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine GB United Kingdom (GB) Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Roeder, R., Sidiropoulos, T.P.H., Tessarek, C., Christiansen, S., Oulton, R.F., & Ronning, C. (2015). Ultrafast Dynamics of Lasing Semiconductor Nanowires. Nano Letters, 15(7), 4637-4643. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b01271

MLA:

Roeder, Robert, et al. "Ultrafast Dynamics of Lasing Semiconductor Nanowires." Nano Letters 15.7 (2015): 4637-4643.

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