Quantum wire lasers with high uniformity formed by cleaved-edge overgrowth with growth-interrupt anneal

High-quality T-shaped quantum wire lasers are fabricated by cleaved-edge overgrowth with the molecular beam epitaxy on the interface improved by a growth-interrupt high-temperature anneal. Micro-photoluminescence (PL) and PL excitation spectroscopy reveals unprecedented high quality of the wires, and structures of one-dimensional (1D) free excitons and 1D continuum states. At high pumping levels, PL evolves from a sharp free exciton peak via a biexciton peak to a red-shifted broad band. Lasing has been achieved with low lasing threshold. The lasing energy is on the red-shifted broad band and is about 5 meV below the free exciton. The observed shift excludes free excitons in lasing, and suggests contribution of highly Coulomb-correlated electron-hole plasma. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.