Two-dimensional photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser

Abstract

A two-dimensional photonic crystal including a plate-shaped base body in which modified refractive index areas differs from the base body are periodically arranged in a two-dimensional pattern; an active layer provided on one side of the two-dimensional photonic crystal; and first and second electrodes facing each other across the two-dimensional photonic crystal and the active layer, for supplying an electric current to the active layer. The modified refractive index areas are provided in the in-plane occupancy of areas in the base body increases, or the lattice constant for those areas decreases, in the direction from an outer edge toward the center of a current passage region where the electric current passes through the two-dimensional photonic crystal. A stable laser oscillation can be obtained when temperature distribution is lower at the outer edge and higher at the center of the current passage region is formed within the two-dimensional photonic crystal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.