Nanolasers: Lasing from nanoscale quantum wires

An overview of the physics and technologies behind the rapid progress of miniaturization of semiconductor lasers, in particular the quantum wire lasers based on one-dimensional nanoscale optical gain media, was presented. It was shown that the material gain and optical feedback were simultaneously achieved by individual nanoscale quantum wires. The one-dimensional semiconductor fabrication technologies based on nanoscale lithography, self-organization, selective growth and chemical synthesis were reviewed. The quantum well lasers are maturing toward commercial applications, but semiconductor lasers based on one-dimensional nanoscale materials are still in their early development stage.