Tuning micropillar cavity birefringence by laser induced surface defects

TL;DR

This paper presents a laser-based method to precisely tune the birefringence of micropillar cavities by inducing surface defects, enabling polarization control and frequency tuning crucial for quantum information applications.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel laser-induced defect technique to controllably modify strain and birefringence in micropillar cavities, enhancing their suitability for quantum technologies.

Findings

Achieved polarization-degenerate fundamental cavity modes

Demonstrated fine-tuning of mode frequencies

Controlled birefringence through surface defect creation

Abstract

We demonstrate a technique to tune the optical properties of micropillar cavities by creating small defects on the sample surface near the cavity region with an intense focused laser beam. Such defects modify strain in the structure, changing the birefringence in a controllable way. We apply the technique to make the fundamental cavity mode polarization-degenerate and to fine tune the overall mode frequencies, as needed for applications in quantum information science.