Nanophotonics: devices and applications

An introduction to the merging field of nano-photonics is given, with emphasis on device realizations and applications. Due to the small size and high efficiency of these devices, nano-photonics has the potential for high- density integration, leading to VLSI photonics. We discuss our work in recent year on the microdisk laser, micro-ring photonic wire lasers, and microring resonators. These are among some of the smallest lasers and modulators ever fabricated. The physics of the modification of spontaneous emission rates with low-dimensional photonic structures is discussed briefly. The nanofabrications of these devices are described. A model of the microcavity resonator is then presented, which provides useful design rules as well as insights into alternative coupling structures that significantly increase the coupling length.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.