Characterization of line-defect-waveguide lasers in two-dimensional photonic-crystal slabs

Here we investigate a line-defect-waveguide laser in a two-dimensional photonic-crystal slab. The change deltalambda in lasing wavelength for a change deltaW in waveguide width is found to be extremely large: deltalambda/deltaW=2. It is two orders of magnitude greater than that for a conventional distributed-feedback laser. An investigation of the electromagnetic-field distribution at the waveguide-mode edge is made, giving an indication of the cavity-mode structure for lasing oscillation. Fourier transform analysis reveals that the extremely large tunability originates from the zigzag mode behavior of the line-defect waveguide in the photonic crystal, due to two-dimensional distributed feedback and reflection. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.