Low-threshold lasing behavior assisted by the asymmetric grating profile in the guided-mode resonance structure

We present a nanoscale laser based on an asymmetric guided-mode resonance (AGMR) structure. The AGMR creates hybrid resonant modes, which consist of the newly generated quasi-bound states in the continuum (quasi-BICs) and the intrinsic GMR mode. By modifying the structural parameters, the GMR and quasi-BICs modes can be matched with the pump and emission wavelengths of the gain medium, respectively. Therefore, high-intensity near fields of the GMR as the resonant optical pumping mode and high quality (Q) factor of the quasi-BICs as the resonant-emitting mode jointly contribute to the low-threshold lasing behavior. The finite-difference time-domain method is used to analyze the lasing characteristics, and a threshold of 14.2 μJ/cm2 is obtained, which is approximately ten times lower than that of a single-coupled mode laser. By adjusting the asymmetry parameters and fill factor of the grating, the threshold can be further reduced to 8.9 μJ/cm2. Additionally, we have also studied the feasibility of the AGMR structure by adjusting the simulation boundary conditions from periodic to perfectly matched layer to simulate a finite-sized structure. The findings provide a new way to excite hybrid modes, opening up possibilities for applications that demand highly confined fields and high Q-factors. •A quasi-BIC nanoscale laser based on guided-mode resonance structure is proposed.•Asymmetric and composite grating is introduced to excite the quasi-BICs resonance.•The lasing threshold is reduced by double matching of the GMR and quasi-BICs mode.•Lasing performance can be optimized by adjusting the structural parameters.•The effect of the number of grating periods on the lasing threshold is discussed.