Electrically pumped sub-wavelength metallo-dielectric pedestal pillar lasers

Electrically driven subwavelength scale metallo-dielectric pedestal pillar lasers are designed and experimentally demonstrated. The metallo-dielectric cavity significantly enhances the quality factor (Q > 1500) of the wavelength and subwavelength scale lasers and the pedestal structure significantly reduces the threshold gain (< 400 cm(-1)) which can potentially enable laser operation at room temperature. We observed continuous wave lasing in 750 nm gain core radius laser at temperatures between 77 K and 140 K with a threshold current of 50 mu A (at 77 K). We also observed lasing from a 355 nm gain core radius laser at temperatures between 77 K and 100 K. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America