Twisted Lattice Nanocavity Based on Mode Locking in Momentum Space

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new class of twisted lattice nanocavities that achieve unprecedented light localization in both space and frequency, enabling advanced studies and applications in fundamental physics and nanophotonics.

Contribution

The paper reports the discovery of twisted lattice nanocavities based on mode locking in momentum space, achieving record-high quality factors and ultra-small mode volumes.

Findings

Achieved a mode volume of 0.048 λ^3 with a quality factor over 2.9×10^11.

Demonstrated silicon-based nanocavities with quality factors exceeding 1 million.

Provided a platform for studying light-matter interactions under extreme localization conditions.

Abstract

Simultaneous localization of light to extreme spatial and spectral scales is of high importance for testing fundamental physics and various applications. However, there is a long-standing trade-off between localizing light field in space and in frequency. Here we discover a new class of twisted lattice nanocavities based on mode locking in momentum space. The twisted lattice nanocavity hosts a strongly localized light field in a 0.048 lambda^3 mode volume with a quality factor exceeding 2.9*10^11 (~250 us photon lifetime), which presents a record high figure of merit of light localization among all reported optical cavities. Based on the discovery, we have demonstrated silicon based twisted lattice nanocavities with quality factor over 1 million. Our result provides a powerful platform to study light-matter interaction in extreme condition for tests of fundamental physics and applications in nanolasing, ultrasensing, nonlinear optics, optomechanics and quantum-optical devices.