Patent ID: 9065253
Filing Date: 2015-06-23
Classification: B82Y,H01L,H01S

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor laser, comprising: an active region having a nanowire structure formed from a semiconductor material, wherein the nanowire structure of the semiconductor material has a bandgap; a strain modulator operably coupled to the active region, wherein the strain modulator is configured to apply a mechanical force to the nanowire structure to reversibly vary the nanowire structure between a first strain state and a second strain state upon application and removal, respectively, of the mechanical force; wherein, in the first strain state, the bandgap is indirect or substantially indirect and causes, within the active region, a number of electrons in a higher energy state to increase relative to a number of electrons in a lower energy state such that electrons can accumulate without recombining with holes; wherein, in the second strain state, the bandgap is direct or substantially direct and triggers emission of photons upon electron-hole recombination; and wherein the straining unit is configured to apply the first and/or second strain at a frequency around and/or larger than an Auger recombination lifetime.