High Q-factor micro-cavity laser: Fabrication and lasing emission properties

Abstract

In this article the fabrication method and lasing emission properties of High-Q micro-cavity lasers based on High-concentration Erbium-doped silica-alumina glasses are presented in detail. The configurations of micro-cavities were spherical and/or modified toroidal forms. The lasing threshold of micro-cavity laser pumped by laser diodes was of hundred micro-watts and Q-factor of cavity had been achieved up-to 108 in experiment. The emission power of one whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) lasing from micro-cavity laser was of 0.05-0.5 mW that would be enough for applying in the quantum information and optical sensor techniques. The modified toroidal micro-cavity permits to decrease the polar-mode of WGMs, which help to obtain the single-mode emission from micro-cavity lasers. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.