InGaAs quantum-dot micropillar emitters: From spontaneous emission and superradiance to lasing

We report on a theoretical and experimental study performed on AlAs/GaAs micropillar cavities containing InGaAs quantum dots as active medium. The devices have the interesting property of having almost all emission (spontaneous and stimulated) channelled into one cavity mode. They are excellent experimental platforms for studying laser physics because their emission behaviours question our understanding of lasing action. Analysis of spectrally-resolved photoluminescence and photon autocorrelation will be discussed and a physically definitive criterion for lasing applicable to all systems will be presented.