Time-resolved lasing action from single and coupled photonic crystal nanocavity array lasers emitting in the telecom-band

We measure the lasing dynamics of single and coupled photonic crystal nanocavity array lasers fabricated in the indium gallium arsenide phosphide material system. Under short optical excitation, single cavity lasers produce pulses as fast as 11 ps (FWHM), while coupled cavity lasers show significantly longer lasing duration which is not explained by a simple rate equations model. A Finite Difference Time Domain simulation including carrier gain and diffusion suggests that asynchronous lasing across the nanocavity array extends the laser's pulse duration.