Abstract: Embodiments described herein may be related to apparatuses, processes, and techniques related to thermal routing techniques within a hybrid silicon laser or photonics integrated circuit to facilitate heat extraction during laser operation. In particular dual metal layers, with a top metal layer thermally coupled with P node above a quantum well and extending substantially under a heat sink, and a bottom metal layer thermally coupled with an N node, where the top metal layer and the bottom metal layer are not electrically coupled. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.