Dielectric nanolaser with atomic-scale electromagnetic field localization

Semiconductor nanolasers represent a modern frontier of research at the intersection of nanotechnology, nanophotonics, and laser physics. In this review, we examine some of the most exciting recent results in this field. We focus on nanoscale lasers fabricated using two-dimensional photonic crystals and discuss the characteristics of these nanolasers. Due to the small size and strong field localization of these nanolasers, some common concepts in semiconductor laser physics must be reconsidered to validate their applicability at the nanoscale. We attempt to answer the question of how small a laser can be and whether there is a limit to its size.

Typically, an English full text is available in about 1 month from the date of publication of the original article.

Correspondence should be addressed to
Keywords: nanolaser, nanophotonics, nanotechnology, laser physics, photonic crystals, nanoantenna, nanocavity, atomic scale field localization
PACS: 42.55.Px, 42.55.Tv, 42.60.Da (all)
DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2026.02.040093
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2026/8/a/
Citation: Balykin V I "Dielectric nanolaser with atomic-scale electromagnetic field localization" Phys. Usp. 69 (8) (2026)

Received: 10th, October 2025, revised: 26th, December 2025, accepted: 6th, February 2026

Оригинал: Балыкин В И «Диэлектрический нанолазер с локализацией электромагнитного поля на атомном масштабе» УФН 196 787–828 (2026); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2026.02.040093

References (228) Similar articles (20) ↓

V.I. Balykin “Plasmon nanolaser: current state and prospects” Phys. Usp. 61 846–870 (2018)
V.V. Klimov “Control of the emission of elementary quantum systems using metamaterials and nanometaparticles” Phys. Usp. 64 990–1020 (2021)
S.I. Lepeshov, A.E. Krasnok et al “Hybrid nanophotonics” Phys. Usp. 61 1035–1050 (2018)
M.V. Rybin, M.F. Limonov “Resonance effects in photonic crystals and metamaterials (100th anniversary of the Ioffe Institute)” Phys. Usp. 62 823–838 (2019)
V.I. Balykin, P.N. Melentiev “Optics and spectroscopy of a single plasmonic nanostructure” Phys. Usp. 61 133–156 (2018)
N.G. Basov, V.V. Nikitin, A.S. Semenov “Dynamics of semiconductor injection lasers” Sov. Phys. Usp. 12 219–240 (1969)
V.V. Klimov “Optical nanoresonators” Phys. Usp. 66 263–287 (2023)
D.D. Sukachev “Large quantum networks” Phys. Usp. 64 1021–1037 (2021)
A.V. Kildishev, V.M. Shalaev “Transformation optics and metamaterials” Phys. Usp. 54 53–63 (2011)
M.V. Davidovich “Hyperbolic metamaterials: production, properties, applications, and prospects” Phys. Usp. 62 1173–1207 (2019)
P.G. Kryukov “Continuous-wave femtosecond lasers” Phys. Usp. 56 849–867 (2013)
Yu.V. Vladimirova, V.N. Zadkov “Quantum optics of quantum emitters in the near field of a nanoparticle” Phys. Usp. 65 245–269 (2022)
S.A. Nikitov, A.R. Safin et al “Dielectric magnonics: from gigahertz to terahertz” Phys. Usp. 63 945–974 (2020)
A.E. Krasnok, I.S. Maksymov et al “Optical nanoantennas” Phys. Usp. 56 539–564 (2013)
A.V. Dorofeenko, A.A. Zyablovsky et al “Light propagation in composite materials with gain layers” Phys. Usp. 55 1080–1097 (2012)
S.Ya. Vetrov, I.V. Timofeev, V.F. Shabanov “Localized modes in chiral photonic structures” Phys. Usp. 63 33–56 (2020)
P.V. Ratnikov, A.P. Silin “Two-dimensional graphene electronics: current status and prospects” Phys. Usp. 61 1139–1174 (2018)
G.N. Makarov “Laser applications in nanotechnology: nanofabrication using laser ablation and laser nanolithography” Phys. Usp. 56 643–682 (2013)
Ya.A. Smorodinskii, A.L. Shelepin, L.A. Shelepin “Groups and probabilities at the foundations of quantum mechanics” Sov. Phys. Usp. 35 (12) 1005–1051 (1992)
V.V. Kocharovsky, V.V. Zheleznyakov et al “Superradiance: the principles of generation and implementation in lasers” Phys. Usp. 60 345–384 (2017)

The list is formed automatically.