Hetero-Integration of Perovskite Lasers into Silicon Photonics (HIPER-LASE)

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Peter Haring Bolívar; Professor Dr.-Ing. Max Christian Lemme; Professor Dr. Thomas Riedl; Professorin Dr. Anna Lena Schall-Giesecke
• Subject Area: Electronic Semiconductors, Components and Circuits, Integrated Systems, Sensor Technology, Theoretical Electrical Engineering
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 441341044

Integrated photonic circuits can trigger a revolution similar to the integrated microchip at the beginning of the 1970’s. A requirement for such a paradigm change is a scalable and cost-effective production technology. Silicon and silicon nitride based photonic platforms are excellent candidates for this task, but the lack of a cheap and compatible integrated (laser) light source is a major obstacle for widespread success of silicon-based photonics. Solution processed metalhalide perovskites are compatible with that material platform and have proven successful in solar cells and LEDs. Recently the applicantsdemonstrated the first integrated optically pumped perovskite laser fabricated via mass production capable top-down patterning. A longterm vision of integrated photonics is therefore an electrically driven perovskite laser integrated onto silicon nitride photonics. As such, the project HIPER-LASE aims to research and pinpoint opportunities andpossible limitations of metal-halide perovskites as an electrically pumped gain material. To this end, research must be geared towards the study of widely unexplored material and device properties, that are substantially different form that of perovskite solar cells. Wehenceforth aim to fill this knowledge gap by focusing on the regime of high electrically injected charge carrier densities and high photon densities, which are orders of magnitude above those under AM1.5 solar irradiation. We will quantify the potential loss mechanisms that prevail under these conditions and might hamper injection lasing. Thework will focus on the most promising perovskites, such as CsPbBr3 and MAPbX3 (X = I, Br). The microstructure of as-deposited layers will be improved via planar hot pressing (PHP), an innovative recrystallization process pioneered by one of the applicants. This will allow us to realize high-quality micro-resonators, that are required for low lasing thresholds. The morphology and electrical properties of the perovskite films will be studied with nanoscopic spectroscopy providing up to 60 nm lateral resolution to guide the material and process optimization. Inorganic electrical interfaces which enable theinjection of high current densities will be developed and characterized using frequency and temperature dependent electrical measurements. Finally, the key elements for an electrically pumped laser will be combined to study if electrically operated lasing in halide perovskites is possible.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants