Semiconductor Nanophotonics

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Nanometre-sized structures made from semiconductors, insulators, and metals exhibit unique electronic and optical phenomena due to electron and photon confinement. Strong interactions in these confined regions can lead to inhibited spontaneous emission, thresholdless laser operation, and Bose-Einstein condensation of exciton-polaritons in microcavities. Additional phenomena include the generation of sub-wavelength radiation by surface plasmon-polaritons at metal-semiconductor interfaces, the creation of photonic band gaps in dielectrics, and the realization of metamaterials with negative permittivity and permeability. These studies contribute to the development of spasers and plasmonic nanolasers with subwavelength dimensions, enabling future applications in data centers and high-speed computers operating at THz bandwidth with minimal energy dissipation. This book serves as an introductory textbook on Semiconductor Nanophotonics for graduate students and researchers. It covers electron-photon interactions in Quantum Wells, Wires, and Dots, and explores processes in microcavities, photonic band gap materials, metamaterials, and their applications. The discussion primarily employs classical and semi-classical theories, and each chapter includes numerous examples and problems to enhance understanding.