Single mode laser in the telecom range by deterministic amplification of the topological interface mode

Abstract: Photonic integrated circuits are paving the way for novel on-chip functionalities with diverse applications in communication, computing, and beyond. The integration of on-chip light sources, especially single-mode lasers, is crucial for advancing those photonic chips to their full potential. Recently, novel concepts involving topological designs introduced a variety of options for tuning device properties such as the desired single mode emission. Here we introduce a novel cavity design that allows to amplify the topological interface mode by deterministic placement of gain material within the topological lattice. The proposed design is experimentally implemented by a selective epitaxy process resulting in Si and InGaAs nanorods embedded within the same topological lattice. This results in the first demonstration of a single-mode laser in the telecom band using the concept of amplified topological modes.