Slow-wave effect and mode-profile matching in Photonic Crystal microcavities

TL;DR

This paper investigates light confinement in photonic crystal slab microcavities through numerical simulations and a Fabry-Perot model, identifying key mechanisms like mode-profile matching and slow wave use that enhance the Q factor.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive 3D numerical analysis and a Fabry-Perot model to better understand and improve light confinement in photonic crystal microcavities.

Findings

Mode-profile matching at cavity terminations improves Q factor.

Using slow waves in the cavity enhances light confinement.

The combined approach offers new physical insights into microcavity design.

Abstract

Physical mechanisms involved in the light confinement in photonic crystal slab microcavities are investigated. We first present a full three-dimensional numerical study of these microcavities. Then, to gain physical insight into the confinement mechanisms, we develop a Fabry-Perot model. This model provides accurate predictions and sheds new light on the physics of light confinement. We clearly identify two mechanisms to enhance the Q factor of these microcavities. The first one consists in improving the mode-profile matching at the cavity terminations and the second one in using a slow wave in the cavity.