Far-field emission of a semiconductor nanowire laser

The polarization properties and angular distribution of intensity of the far fields from a nanowire laser are investigated. The far-field emission depends strongly on the mode type (${\mathrm{HE}}_{11}$, ${\mathrm{TE}}_{01}$, ${\mathrm{TM}}_{01}$) and the radius of the nanowire. The emission is weakly directional, and a large part of it can be emitted in the backward direction. Our results can be applied for experimental determination of a lasing mode by its far fields as well as for optimization of laser emission.