Modeling of optical fields in laser microcavities using a modal method

Niels Gregersen (Invited author)

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    Abstract

    A compact microlaser featuring a high-Q cavity with a low mode volume V is of interest as it allows for a near-unity factor, thresholdless lasing and reduced energy consumption. However, whereas a high Q and a low V are easily achieved separately, combining the two poses a challenge. Furthermore, the cavity should allow for efficient out-coupling of light, which in low-V systems represents an additional design challenge. Engineering a microcavity meeting these demands requires a in-depth physical under-standing of the governing physical mechanisms of the system. In the low-V cavity, a central mechanism limiting the Q factor is the poor modal overlap between the cavity Bloch mode and the mirror Bloch mode. Also, the strong connement will generally lead to highly divergent far field patterns and thus low collection efficiency. In this scenario, Bloch-wave engineering [1] and the introduction of adiabatic transitions emerge as powerful design tools to control the optical mode.
    In the modal method, the eld is expanded on the eigenmodes of z-invariant layers and on the Bloch modes of periodic sections. Using mode matching at the interfaces, the method gives direct access to re
    ection and transmission coecients describing the scattering of the optical modes, and the method is thus highly suitable for Bloch-wave engineering of the low-V cavity. As example we have used the modal method to propose the high-Q submicron-diameter micropillar geometry implementing an adiabatic cavity design as illustrated in Fig. 1, which recently lead to the experimental demonstration of high- lasing in fabricated devices with factors exceeding 0.5. [2]
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationMASOMO - Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation of Optical Modes in Photonic Devices : Abstracts
    Number of pages1
    PublisherWIAS - Weierstrass Institute for Applied Analysis and Stochastics
    Publication date2013
    Publication statusPublished - 2013
    EventMASOMO 2013 - Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation of Optical Modes in Photonic Devices - Berlin, Germany
    Duration: 10 Apr 201312 Apr 2013
    http://www.wias-berlin.de/workshops/masomo13/index.jsp

    Workshop

    WorkshopMASOMO 2013 - Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation of Optical Modes in Photonic Devices
    Country/TerritoryGermany
    CityBerlin
    Period10/04/201312/04/2013
    Internet address

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