Patent ID: 6826223
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A surface-emitting photonic crystal distributed feedback laser apparatus configured to emit an optical beam of light, comprising:a laser waveguide bounded by a top and bottom optical claddings; an active region configured to produce optical gain upon receiving optical or electrical pumping; a periodic two-dimensional grating having an order higher than the fundamental, the grating configured to induce modulation of a modal refractive index; and a lateral pumped gain area contained within an area covered by the grating, the lateral pumped gain area configured to produce gain in one or more lasing modes having a modal index modulated by the grating, the lateral pumped gain area having a substantially circular shape of diameter D, and wherein the gain area is enclosed by an unpumped region contained within the area covered by the grating but not receiving the optical or electrical pumping.