The photonic band edge laser: A new approach to gain enhancement

Abstract

Near the band edge of a one-dimensional photonic band gap structure the photon group velocity approaches zero. This effect implies an exceedingly long optical path length in the structure. If an active medium is present, the optical path length increase near the photonic band edge can lead to a better than fourfold enhancement of gain. This new effect has important applications to vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.