Martin Holzbauer

The influence of whispering gallery modes on the far field of ring lasers.

We introduce ring lasers with continuous π-phase shifts in the second order distributed feedback grating. This configuration facilitates insights into the nature of the modal outcoupling in an optical cavity. The grating exploits the asymmetry of whispering gallery modes and induces a rotation of the far field pattern. We find that this rotation can be connected to the location of the mode relative to the grating. Furthermore, the direction of rotation depends on the radial order of the whispering gallery mode. This enables a distinct identification and characterization of the mode by simple analysis of the emission beam.

Remote sensing with commutable monolithic laser and detector

The ubiquitous trend toward miniaturized sensing systems demands novel concepts for compact and versatile spectroscopic tools. Conventional optical sensing setups include a light source, an analyte interaction region, and a separate external detector. We present a compact sensor providing room-temperature operation of monolithic surface-active lasers and detectors integrated on the same chip. The differentiation between emitter and detector is eliminated, which enables mutual commutation. Proof-of-principle gas measurements with a limit of detection below 400 ppm are demonstrated. This concept enables a crucial miniaturization of sensing devices.

Surface emitting ring quantum cascade lasers for chemical sensing

Abstract. We review recent advances in chemical sensing applications based on surface emitting ring quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). Such lasers can be implemented in monolithically integrated on-chip laser/detector devices forming compact gas sensors, which are based on direct absorption spectroscopy according to the Beer–Lambert law. Furthermore, we present experimental results on radio frequency modulation up to 150 MHz of surface emitting ring QCLs. This technique provides detailed insight into the modulation characteristics of such lasers. The gained knowledge facilitates the utilization of ring QCLs in combination with spectroscopic techniques, such as heterodyne phase-sensitive dispersion spectroscopy for gas detection and analysis.

Room-Temperature Quantum Ballistic Transport in Monolithic Ultrascaled Al–Ge–Al Nanowire Heterostructures

Conductance quantization at room temperature is a key requirement for the utilizing of ballistic transport for, e.g., high-performance, low-power dissipating transistors operating at the upper limit of “on”-state conductance or multivalued logic gates. So far, studying conductance quantization has been restricted to high-mobility materials at ultralow temperatures and requires sophisticated nanostructure formation techniques and precise lithography for contact formation. Utilizing a thermally induced exchange reaction between single-crystalline Ge nanowires and Al pads, we achieved monolithic Al–Ge–Al NW heterostructures with ultrasmall Ge segments contacted by self-aligned quasi one-dimensional crystalline Al leads. By integration in electrostatically modulated back-gated field-effect transistors, we demonstrate the first experimental observation of room temperature quantum ballistic transport in Ge, favorable for integration in complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor platform technology.

Ring quantum cascade lasers with twisted wavefronts

We demonstrate the on-chip generation of twisted light beams from ring quantum cascade lasers. A monolithic gradient index metamaterial is fabricated directly into the substrate side of the semiconductor chip and induces a twist of the light’s wavefront. This significantly influences the obtained beam pattern, which changes from a central intensity minimum to a maximum depending on the discontinuity count of the metamaterial. Our design principle provides an interesting alternative to recent implementations of microlasers operating at an exceptional point.

Substrate-emitting ring interband cascade lasers

Interband cascade lasers (ICLs) [1, 2] combine two concepts for semiconductor lasers, in particular the long carrier lifetime of photodiodes together with the voltage-efficient cascading of the quantum cascade laser. The low threshold power makes them very attractive for mobile systems used for spectroscopy, process control or medical applications. To date no suitable overgrowth process exists for GaSb-based ICLs, which prohibits the usage of a top-grating etched into the cladding layer. Single-mode emission from a ridge facet has been achieved via sidewall gratings [3], patterning of germanium on the surface [4] or lateral metal gratings [6]. Light outcoupling towards the surface of the ICL has been demonstrated with vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers [6].

Highly integrated gas sensors based on bi-functional quantum cascade structures

We present gas sensors based on two concentric vertically emitting and detecting quantum cascade ring structures on the same chip. Both rings can be used as laser and detector at the same wavelength.

Resonant intersubband plasmon induced current in InGaAs quantum wells on GaAs

We present measurements of the current enhancement due to the coupling of two intersubband plasmons in In0.05Ga0.95As quantum wells. With changing bias, an emissive and an absorptive intersubband plasmon mode cross attractively and trapped electrons in the ground state gain enough energy from the plasma wave to be lifted up to the second subband, where they can contribute to the current. This effect can be directly observed as an increase of 33% in the current. A magnetic field applied parallel to the growth direction allows a control of the strength of the intersubband plasmon coupling up to a quenching.