Topic 42 Optoelectronics: Continuously spatial-wavelength-tunable nanowire lasers on a single chip

This is a proposal for a one-year extension of the current project. We propose to further study the feasibility of growth of vertical array of CdSxSe1-x alloy nanowires with alloy composition graded on substrates of pore-templates. The goal is to determine a vertical array structure with the required n- and p- contact materials. The structure needs to be compatible with the standard fabrication of optoelectronic devices, while allowing efficient electrical injection into the alloy nanowires. The issue of a vertical cavity design with the nanowires will be studied using a combination of theory, modeling, and computer simulation. As a cavity design, metal mirrors will be studied in detail for the purpose of increasing cavity reflectivity, while maintaining metal loss to be within optical gain achievable with the alloy nanowires. The overall goal is to establish a detail roadmap and research plan for fabricating alloy nanowires lasers with widely tunable wavelengths on a single platform, under efficient electrical injection, operating at room temperature. Such electrical injection nanolasers with extremely wide range of wavelengths will find many applications in national defense and commercial arenas. The level of effort is 6.0 person month for a GRA and 0.5 person month for the PI.