Optimization of the threshold pump power of a photonic crystal nanolaser, experiment and theory

Here we experimentally characterize photonic crystal nanolasers where the first endhole of the mirror has been systamatically shifted. FDTD simulations of similar passive cavities are done in order to find the expected evolution of the quality factor. We find that the predicted increase in the quality factor of the equivalent passive cavities leads to a decrease in the threshold power of the active nanolasers as expected. The maximum output power for varying endhole shifts has also been investigated and shifting the holes to optimize quality factor leads to lower maximum output power, when measuring from the top. The mirror of the photonic crystal cavity is further investigated as the mirror phase and penetration depth into the mirror are determined as a function of the endhole shift.