Title

Topological Insulator Laser: Theory

Abstract

Topological insulators are phases of matter characterized by topological edge States that propagate in a unidirectional manner that is robust to imperfections and disorder. These attributes make topological insulator systems ideal candidates for enabling applications in quantum computation and spintronics. We propose a concept that exploits topological effects in a unique way: the topological insulator laser. These are lasers whose lasing mode exhibits topologically protected transport without magnetic fields. The underlying topological properties lead to a highly efficient laser, robust to defects and disorder, with single-mode lasing even at very high gain values. The topological insulator laser alters current understanding of the interplay between disorder and lasing, and at the same time opens exciting possibilities in topological physics, such as topologically protected transport in systems with gain. On the technological side, the topological insulator laser provides a route to arrays of semiconductor lasers that operate as one single-mode high-power laser coupled efficiently into an output port.

Publication Date

3-16-2018

Publication Title

Science

Volume

359

Issue

6381

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aar4003

Socpus ID

85041576998 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85041576998

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