Threshold lowering in GaN micropillar lasers by means of spatially selective optical pumping

A new optical pumping method is demonstrated for creating a population inversion in GaN micropillar cavities with circular symmetry. This approach employs an axicon lens to produce a ring-shaped optical beam and provides for independent control of ring thickness and diameter. By bringing the pump beam into coincidence with whispering gallery modes confined near the outer rim of the cavity, we achieve a significant reduction in the threshold pump intensity for room-temperature operation of GaN micropillar lasers.