Optical emission of hybridized nanowire lasers

As optoelectronic devices approach the nanometer scale, conventional integration concepts are increasingly restricted by losses in electrical interconnects, which dominate the overall performance and stability. Nanoscale laser sources can overcome these constraints by acting as on-chip optical interconnects. In this context, semiconductor nanowire lasers are promising because they combine high optical gain with optical confinement and inherently support Fabry–Pérot lasing. However, transferring nanowire lasers to photonic platforms requires understanding how their emission changes in complex environments. This thesis investigates the optical emission of hybridized nanowire lasers in such environments. ZnO nanowire lasers are studied as a proof-of-concept platform because of their robust ultraviolet lasing at room temperature. Two hybridization partners are explored, namely transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers and thin films of perylene-based organic dyes. The optical emission is examined by spatially and spectrally resolved micro-photoluminescence spectroscopy, complemented by power-dependent measurements and nanowire waveguiding experiments. Coupling to MoS2 and WS2 monolayers leads to intensity quenching, a blueshift of the lasing mode envelope, and an increased lasing threshold of the nanowire. The effects strengthen with increasing overlap and TMD thickness, indicating additional loss channels attributed to evanescent field absorption and interfacial charge transfer. Hybridization with perylene thin films similarly changes the lasing performance because of absorption, interfacial scattering, and a reduced end-facet reflectivity. Overall, this thesis provides insights into how functional environments influence the nanowire laser emission and supports the design of more efficient nanowire-based devices.