Emerging Optics from Structured Nanoscale Optical Cavities

TL;DR

This paper reviews the recent advances in structured nanoscale optical cavities, highlighting their unique electromagnetic properties, diverse applications in light-matter interactions, and potential for integrated photonic and quantum systems.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the design, properties, and emerging applications of nanoscale optical cavities, emphasizing their role in next-generation photonic technologies.

Findings

Nanoscale lasers with low power thresholds and optical multiplexing.

Enhanced nonlinear optics and exciton-polariton coupling.

Potential for scalable quantum and topological photonic devices.

Abstract

Miniaturized and rationally assembled nanostructures exhibit extraordinarily distinct physical properties beyond their individual units. This review will focus on structured small-scale optical cavities that show unique electromagnetic near fields and collective optical coupling. By harnessing different material systems and structural designs, various light-matter interactions can be engineered, such as nanoscale lasing, nonlinear optics, exciton-polariton coupling, and energy harvesting. Key device performance of nanoscale lasers, including low power threshold, optical multiplexing, and electrical pump, will be discussed. This review will also cover emerging applications of nanoscale optical cavities in quantum engineering and topological photonics. Structured nanocavities can serve as a scalable platform for integrated photonic circuits and hybrid quantum photonic systems.