Electrically Driven Micro- and Nano-Scale Semiconductor Light Sources

Abstract

Emerging optical technology capable of addressing the limits in modern electronics must incorporate unique solutions to bring about a revolution in high-speed, on-chip data communication and information processing. Among the possible optical devices that can be developed, the electrically driven, ultrasmall semiconductor light source is the most essential element for a compact, power-efficient photonic integrated circuit. In this review, we cover the recent development of the electrically driven light-emitting devices based on various micro- and nano-scale semiconductor optical cavities. We also discuss the recent advances in the integration of these light sources with passive photonic circuits.

Keywords

• microdisk cavities
• photonic crystal cavities
• electrically driven nanolasers
• nanoscale light-emitting diodes
• nanowires
• plasmonic light sources
• photonic integrated circuits