Transfer-printed quantum-dot nanolasers on a silicon photonic circuit

Quantum-dot (QD) nanolasers integrated on a silicon photonic circuit are demonstrated for the first time. QD nanolasers based on one-dimensional photonic crystal nanocavities containing InAs/GaAs QDs are integrated on CMOS-processed silicon waveguides with silicon dioxide cladding. We employed transfer printing, whereby the three-dimensional stack of photonic nanostructures is assembled in a pick-and-place manner. The lasing operation and waveguide coupling of an assembled single nanolaser are confirmed through micro-photoluminescence spectroscopy. Furthermore, by repetitive transfer printing, two QD nanolasers integrated onto a single silicon waveguide are demonstrated, opening a path to the development of compact light sources potentially applicable to wavelength division multiplexing.