Photonic Crystal Nanocavities and Waveguides

Fabrication of optical structures has evolved to a precision which allows us to control light within etched nanostructures. Nano-optic cavities can be used for efficient and flexible concentration of light in small volumes, and control over both emission wavelength and frequency. Conversely, if a periodic pattern is defined in the top semitransparent metal layer by lithography, it is possible to efficiently couple out the light out of a semiconductor and to simultaneously enhance the spontaneous emission rate. Here we demonstrate the use of photonic crystals for efficient light localization and light extraction

Photonic Crystals and their Applications to Efficient Light Emitters

When combined with high index contrast slabs in which light can be efficiently guided, microfabricated two-dimensional photonic bandgap mirrors provide us with the geometries needed to confine and concentrate light into extremely small volumes and to obtain very high field intensities. Fabrication of optical structures has now evolved to a precision which allows us to control light within such etched nanostructures. Sub-wavelength nano-optic cavities can be used for efficient and flexible control over both emission wavelength and frequency, and nanofabricated optical waveguides can be used for efficient coupling of light between devices. The reduction of the size of optical components leads to their integration in large numbers and the possibility to combine different functionalities on a single chip. We show uses of such crystals in functional nonlinear optical devices, such as lasers, modulators, add/drop filters, polarizers and detectors

Quantum dot photonic crystal lasers

Coupled cavity designs on two-dimensional square lattice photonic crystal slabs were used to demonstrate optically pumped indium arsenide quantum dot photonic crystal lasers at room temperature. Threshold pump powers of 120 and 370 μW were observed for coupled cavities including two and four defect cavities defined in optimised photonic crystals

Measurement of spontaneous emission from a two-dimensional photonic band gap defined microcavity at near-infrared wavelengths

An active, photonic band gap-based microcavity emitter in the near infrared is demonstrated. We present direct measurement of the spontaneous emission power and spectrum from a microcavity formed using a two-dimensional photonic band gap structure in a half wavelength thick slab waveguide. The appearance of cavity resonance peaks in the spectrum correspond to the photonic band gap energy. For detuned band gaps, no resonances are observed. For devices with correctly tuned band gaps, a two-time enhancement of the extraction efficiency was demonstrated compared to detuned band gaps and unpatterned material

Photonic bandgap disk laser

A two-dimensional photonic crystal defined hexagonal disk laser which relies on Bragg reflection rather than the total internal reflection as in traditional microdisk lasers is described. The devices are fabricated using a selective etch to form free standing membranes suspended in air. Room temperature lasing at 1650nm for a 150nm thick, ~15μm wide cavity fabricated in InP/GaAsP is demonstrated with pulsed optical pumping

Lasers incorporating 2D photonic bandgap mirrors

Semiconductor lasers incorporating a 2D photonic lattice as a one end mirror in a Fabry-Perot cavity are demonstrated. The photonic lattice is a 2D hexagonal close-packed array with a lattice constant of 220 nm. Pulsed threshold currents of 110 mA were observed from a 180 μm laser