Spatial and polarization structure in micro-dome resonators: effects of a Bragg mirror

Micro-domes based on a combination of metallic and dielectric multilayer mirrors are studied using a fully vectorial numerical basis-expansion method that accurately accounts for the effects of an arbitrary Bragg stack and can efficiently cover a large range of dome shapes and sizes. Results are examined from three different viewpoints: (i) the ray-optics limit, (ii) the (semi-) confocal limit for which exact wave solutions are known, and (iii) the paraxial approximation using vectorial Gaussian beams.Comment: For higher-quality figures, see http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~noeckel/papers.php#xref2

Surface plasmon polariton propagation around bends at a metal-dielectric interface

We analyze theoretically the propagation of surface plasmon polaritons about a metallic corner with a finite bend radius, using a one-dimensional model analogous to the scattering from a finite-depth potential well. We obtain expressions for the energy reflection and transmission coefficients in the short wavelength limit, as well as an upper bound for the transmittance. In certain cases we find that propagation on non-planar interfaces may result in lower losses than on flat surfaces, contrary to expectation. In addition, we also find that the maximum transmittance depends non-monotonously on the bend radius, allowing increased transmission with decreasing radius.Comment: For higher-quality figures, see http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~noeckel/papers.php#xref2

Directional emission from asymmetric resonant cavities

Asymmetric resonant cavities (ARCs) with highly non-circular but convex cross-sections are predicted theoretically to have high-Q whispering gallery modes with very anisotropic emission. We develop a ray dynamics model for the emission pattern and present numerical and experimental confirmation of the theory.Comment: 7 pages LaTeX, 3 postscript figure

Hexagonal microlasers based on organic dyes in nanoporous crystals

Molecular sieves, such as nanoporous AlPO_4-5, can host a wide variety of laser active dyes. We embedded pyridine 2 molecules as a representative of a commercially available dye which fits into the channel pores of the host matrix. Many efficient dye molecules, such as rhodamines, do not fit into the pores. But the amount of encapsulated dyes can be increased by modifying the structure of the dyes such that they match the host templates. The resulting microlasers have properties that depend on size and shape of the microresonators, and we discuss a model for microscopic hexagonal ring resonators. In terms of pump needed to reach lasing threshold molecular sieve microlasers are comparable to VCSELs. For dyes which fit into the pores we observed a partial regeneration of photo-induced damage.Comment: 10 pages, 16 figure

High-Power Directional Emission from Microlasers with Chaotic Resonators

High-power and highly directional semiconductor cylinder-lasers based on an optical resonator with deformed cross section are reported. In the favorable directions of the far-field, a power increase of up to three orders of magnitude over the conventional circularly symmetric lasers was obtained. A "bow-tie"-shaped resonance is responsible for the improved performance of the lasers in the higher range of deformations, in contrast to "whispering-gallery"-type modes of circular and weakly deformed lasers. This resonator design, although demonstrated here in midinfrared quantum-cascade lasers, should be applicable to any laser based on semiconductors or other high-refractive index materials.Comment: Removed minor discrepancies with published version in the text and in Fig.