Open geometry Fourier modal method: Modeling nanophotonic structures in infinite domains

We present an open geometry Fourier modal method based on a new combination of open boundary conditions and an efficient $k$-space discretization. The open boundary of the computational domain is obtained using basis functions that expand the whole space, and the integrals subsequently appearing due to the continuous nature of the radiation modes are handled using a discretization based on non-uniform sampling of the $k$-space. We apply the method to a variety of photonic structures and demonstrate that our method leads to significantly improved convergence with respect to the number of degrees of freedom, which may pave the way for more accurate and efficient modeling of open nanophotonic structures

Calculation, normalization and perturbation of quasinormal modes in coupled cavity-waveguide systems

We show how one can use a non-local boundary condition, which is compatible with standard frequency domain methods, for numerical calculation of quasinormal modes in optical cavities coupled to waveguides. In addition, we extend the definition of the quasinormal mode norm by use of the theory of divergent series to provide a framework for modeling of optical phenomena in such coupled cavity-waveguide systems. As an example, we apply the framework to study perturbative changes in the resonance frequency and Q value of a photonic crystal cavity coupled to a defect waveguide.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Impact of slow-light enhancement on optical propagation in active semiconductor photonic crystal waveguides

We derive and validate a set of coupled Bloch wave equations for analyzing the reflection and transmission properties of active semiconductor photonic crystal waveguides. In such devices, slow-light propagation can be used to enhance the material gain per unit length, enabling, for example, the realization of short optical amplifiers compatible with photonic integration. The coupled wave analysis is compared to numerical approaches based on the Fourier modal method and a frequency domain finite element technique. The presence of material gain leads to the build-up of a backscattered field, which is interpreted as distributed feedback effects or reflection at passive-active interfaces, depending on the approach taken. For very large material gain values, the band structure of the waveguide is perturbed, and deviations from the simple coupled Bloch wave model are found.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Modeling open nanophotonic systems using the Fourier modal method: Generalization to 3D Cartesian coordinates

Recently, an open geometry Fourier modal method based on a new combination of an open boundary condition and a non-uniform $k$-space discretization was introduced for rotationally symmetric structures providing a more efficient approach for modeling nanowires and micropillar cavities [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 33, 1298 (2016)]. Here, we generalize the approach to three-dimensional (3D) Cartesian coordinates allowing for the modeling of rectangular geometries in open space. The open boundary condition is a consequence of having an infinite computational domain described using basis functions that expand the whole space. The strength of the method lies in discretizing the Fourier integrals using a non-uniform circular "dartboard" sampling of the Fourier $k$ space. We show that our sampling technique leads to a more accurate description of the continuum of the radiation modes that leak out from the structure. We also compare our approach to conventional discretization with direct and inverse factorization rules commonly used in established Fourier modal methods. We apply our method to a variety of optical waveguide structures and demonstrate that the method leads to a significantly improved convergence enabling more accurate and efficient modeling of open 3D nanophotonic structures

Three-dimensional integral equation approach to light scattering, extinction cross sections, local density of states, and quasi-normal modes

We present a numerical formalism for solving the Lippmann-Schwinger equation for the electric field in three dimensions. The formalism may be applied to scatterers of different shapes and embedded in different background media, and we develop it in detail for the specific case of spherical scatterers in a homogeneous background medium. In addition, we show how several physically important quantities may readily be calculated with the formalism. These quantities include the extinction cross section, the total Green's tensor, the projected local density of states and the Purcell factor as well as the quasinormal modes of leaky resonators with the associated resonance frequencies and quality factors. We demonstrate the calculations for the well-known plasmonic dimer consisting of two silver nanoparticles and thus illustrate the versatility of the formalism for use in modeling of advanced nanophotonic devices.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for JOSA

On the theory of coupled modes in optical cavity-waveguide structures

Light propagation in systems of optical cavities coupled to waveguides can be conveniently described by a general rate equation model known as (temporal) coupled mode theory (CMT). We present an alternative derivation of the CMT for optical cavity-waveguide structures, which explicitly relies on the treatment of the cavity modes as quasinormal modes with properties that are distinctly different from those of the modes in the waveguides. The two families of modes are coupled via the field equivalence principle to provide a physically appealing yet surprisingly accurate description of light propagation in the coupled systems. Practical application of the theory is illustrated using example calculations in one and two dimensions.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figure

Modeling open nanophotonic systems using the Fourier modal method: Generalization to 3D Cartesian coordinates

Recently, an open geometry Fourier modal method based on a new combination of an open boundary condition and a non-uniform $k$-space discretization was introduced for rotationally symmetric structures providing a more efficient approach for modeling nanowires and micropillar cavities [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 33, 1298 (2016)]. Here, we generalize the approach to three-dimensional (3D) Cartesian coordinates allowing for the modeling of rectangular geometries in open space. The open boundary condition is a consequence of having an infinite computational domain described using basis functions that expand the whole space. The strength of the method lies in discretizing the Fourier integrals using a non-uniform circular "dartboard" sampling of the Fourier $k$ space. We show that our sampling technique leads to a more accurate description of the continuum of the radiation modes that leak out from the structure. We also compare our approach to conventional discretization with direct and inverse factorization rules commonly used in established Fourier modal methods. We apply our method to a variety of optical waveguide structures and demonstrate that the method leads to a significantly improved convergence enabling more accurate and efficient modeling of open 3D nanophotonic structures