Theoretical modelling of single-mode lasing in microcavity lasers via optical interference injection

Abstract

The effective manipulation of mode oscillation and competition is of fundamental importance for controlling light emission in semiconductor lasers. Here we develop a rate equation model which considers the spatially modulated gain and spontaneous emission, which are inherently governed by the ripple of the vacuum electromagnetic field in a Fabry-Pérot (FP) microcavity. By manipulating the interplay between the spatial oscillation of the vacuum field and external optical injection via dual-beam laser interference, single longitudinal mode operation is observed in a FP-type microcavity with a side mode suppression ratio exceeding 40 dB. An exploration of this extended rate equation model bridges the gap between the classical model of multimode competition in semiconductor lasers and a quantum-optics understanding of radiative processes in microcavities.