Microfluidic Photonic Crystal Nanocavities

We demonstrate post-processed and reconfigurable photonic crystal double-heterostructure nanocavities via selective fluid infiltration. We experimentally investigate the microfluidic structures via evanescent probing from a tapered fiber at telecommunications wavelengths. We demonstrate a cavity with quality factor Q = 4,300. The defect-writing technique we present does not require nanometer-scale alterations in lattice geometry and may be undertaken at any time after photonic crystal waveguide fabrication

Reconfigurable Microfluidic Photonic Crystal Cavities

We demonstrate reconfigurable microfluidic photonic crystal double-heterostructure cavities by local fluid infiltration of select air holes. Properties of the microfluidic cavities are experimentally studied by evanescent coupling and analyzed by numerical simulations

Reconfigurable microfluidic photonic crystal slab cavities

We demonstrate the spectral and spatial reconfigurability of photonic crystal double-heterostructure cavities in silicon by microfluidic infiltration of selected air holes. The lengths of the microfluidic cavities are changed by adjusting the region of infiltrated holes in steps of several microns. We systematically investigate the spectral signature of these cavities, showing high Q-factor resonances for a broad range of cavity lengths. The fluid can be removed by immersing the device in toluene, offering complete reconfigurability. Our cavity writing technique allows for tolerances in the infiltration process and provides flexibility as it can be employed at any time after photonic crystal fabrication. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America</p