GaAs valley photonic crystal waveguide with light-emitting InAs quantum dots

Abstract

We report a valley photonic crystal (VPhC) waveguide in a GaAs slab with InAs quantum dots (QDs) as an internal light source exploited for the experimental characterization of the waveguide. A topological interface state formed at the interface between two topologically-distinct VPhCs is used as the waveguide mode. We demonstrate robust propagation for the near-infrared light emitted from the QDs, even with the presence of sharp bends, due to the topological protection of the guided mode. Our work will be of importance for developing robust photonic integrated circuits with small footprints, as well as for exploring active semiconductor topological photonics.