Patent ID: 7656919

Claim:
A ring laser system, comprising: a substantially planar and horizontal buffer layer having a first top surface; a substantially planar and horizontal intermediate layer disposed atop the first top surface, the intermediate layer having a second top surface and a second bottom surface, the second bottom surface adjoining the first top surface, at least one epitaxial layer overgrowth (ELOG) opening being disposed through portions of the intermediate layer and extending between the second top surface and the second bottom surface an optical core formed by ELOG disposed in the ELOG opening and disposed over the first top surface and over the second top surface of the such that at least portions of the optical core extend vertically above the buffer layer and the intermediate layer, the optical core comprising non-horizontal sidewalls disposed about an outer periphery thereof located above the second top surface; a plurality of non-horizontal multi-quantum wells disposed along the outer periphery and in contact with the sidewalls of the optical core a plurality of non-horizontal barrier lavers disposed between the non-horizontal multi-quantum wells; and an outer structure surrounding the plurality of non-horizontal multi-quantum wells and the plurality of non-horizontal barrier layers; wherein the multi-quantum wells are configured to form photons, the ring laser system is configured to circulate the photons therein among one or more of the outer structure, the multi-quantum wells, and the optical core, and at least portions of the outer structure are configured to totally internally reflect the photons.