Super Bound States in the Continuum on a Photonic Flatband: Concept, Experimental Realization, and Optical Trapping Demonstration.

In this Letter, we theoretically propose and experimentally demonstrate the formation of a super bound state in a continuum (BIC) on a photonic crystal flat band. This unique state simultaneously exhibits an enhanced quality factor and near-zero group velocity across an extended region of the Brillouin zone. It is achieved at the topological transition when a symmetry-protected BIC pinned at k=0 merges with two Friedrich-Wintgen quasi-BICs, which arise from the destructive interference between lossy photonic modes of opposite symmetries. As a proof of concept, we employ the ultraflat super BIC to demonstrate three-dimensional optical trapping of individual particles. Our findings present a novel approach to engineering both the real and imaginary components of photonic states on a subwavelength scale for innovative optoelectronic devices.

Low-voltage, broadband graphene-coated Bragg mirror electro-optic modulator at telecom wavelengths.

We demonstrate a graphene based electro-optic free-space modulator yielding a reflectance contrast of 20% over a strikingly large 250nm wavelength range, centered in the near-infrared telecom band. Our device is based on the original association of a planar Bragg reflector, topped with an electrically contacted double-layer graphene capacitor structure employing a high work-function oxide shown to confer a static doping to the graphene in the absence of an external bias, thereby reducing the switching voltage range to +/-1V. The device design, fabrication and opto-electric characterization is presented, and its behavior modeled using a coupled optical-electronic framework.

Nanoantenna-induced fringe splitting of Fabry-Perot interferometer: a model study of plasmonic/photonic coupling.

In this paper, we present a simple approach to study the coupling mechanisms between a plasmonic system consisting of bowtie nanoantennas and a photonic structure based on a Fabry-Perot interferometer. The nanoantenna array is represented by an equivalent homogeneous layer placed at the interferometer surface and yielding the effective dielectric function of the NA resonance. A phase matching model based on thin film interference is developed to describe the multi-layer interferences in the device and to analyze the fringe variations induced by the introduction of the plasmonic layer. The general model is validated by an experimental system consisting of a bowtie nanoantenna array and a porous-silicon-based interferometer. The optical response of this hybrid device exhibits both the enhancement induced by the nanoantenna resonance and the fringe pattern of the interferometer. Using the phase matching model, we demonstrate that strong coupling can occur in such a system, leading to fringe splitting. A study of the splitting strength and of the coupling behavior is given. The model study performed in this work enables to gain deeper understanding of the optical behavior of plasmonic/photonic hybrid devices.

Optical polarization properties of InAs/InP quantum dot and quantum rod nanowires.

The emission polarization of single InAs/InP quantum dot (QD) and quantum rod (QR) nanowires is investigated at room temperature. Whereas the emission of the QRs is mainly polarized parallel to the nanowire axis, the opposite behavior is observed for the QDs. These optical properties can be explained by a combination of dielectric effects related to the nanowire geometry and to the configuration of the valence band in the nanostructure. A theoretical model and finite difference in time domain calculations are presented to describe the impact of the nanowire and the surroundings on the optical properties of the emitter. Using this model, the intrinsic degree of linear polarization of the two types of emitters is extracted. The strong polarization anisotropies indicate a valence band mixing in the QRs but not in the QDs.

Huge light-enhancement by coupling a Bowtie Nano-antenna's plasmonic resonance to a photonic crystal mode.

We numerically demonstrate a drastic enhancement of the light intensity in the vicinity of the gap of Bowtie Nano-antenna (BA) through its coupling with Photonic Crystal (PC) resonator. The resulting huge energy transfer toward the BA is based on the coupling between two optical resonators (BA and PC membrane) of strongly unbalanced quality factors. Thus, these two resonators are designed so that the PC is only slightly perturbed in term of resonance properties. The proposed hybrid dielectric-plasmonic structure may open new avenues in the generation of deeply subwavelength intense optical sources, with direct applications in various domains such as data storage, non-linear optics, optical trapping and manipulation, microscopy, etc.

Strong confinement of light in low index materials: the Photon Cage.

New photonic microstructures are proposed for an efficient light trapping in low index media. Cylindrical hollow cavities formed by bending a photonic crystal membrane are designed. Using numerical simulations, strong confinement of photons is demonstrated for very open resonators. The resulting strong light matter interaction can be exploited in optical devices comprising an active material embedded in a low index matrix like polymer or even gaz.

Dual-wavelength micro-resonator combining photonic crystal membrane and Fabry-Perot cavity.

We propose a novel system of dual-wavelength micro-cavity based on the coupling between a photonic crystal membrane (PCM); operating at the Γ- point of the Brillouin zone, with a Fabry-Perot vertical cavity (FP). The optical coupling, which can be adjusted by the overlap between both optical modes, leads to the generation of two hybrid modes separated by a frequency difference which can be tuned using micro-opto-electromechanical structures. The proposed dual-wavelength micro-cavity is attractive for application where dual-mode behaviour is desirable as dual-lasing, frequency conversion. An analytical model, numerical (FDTD) and transfer matrix method investigations are presented.

3D light harnessing based on coupling engineering between 1D-2D Photonic Crystal membranes and metallic nano-antenna.

A new approach is proposed for the optimum addressing of a metallic nano-antenna (NA) with a free space optical beam. This approach relies on the use of an intermediate resonator structure that provides the appropriate modal conversion of the incoming beam. More precisely, the intermediate resonator consists in a Photonic Crystal (PC) membrane resonant structure that takes benefit of surface addressable slow Bloch modes. First, a phenomenological approach including a deep physical understanding of the NA-PC coupling and its optimization is presented. In a second step, the main features of this analysis are confirmed by numerical simulations (FDTD).

A simple perturbative analysis for fast design of an electrically pumped micro-disk laser.

A perturbative analysis is proposed to estimate optical losses for electrically pumped micro-disk lasers. The optical field interaction with the electrical contacts and the optimization of their implementation is investigated. Our model shows a good agreement with 3D Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) computation and can be used for designing contacts for thin micro-disks, with a considerably reduced calculation time. We also demonstrate that losses induced by the contacts can be exploited to select the optical mode of a micro-laser.

Surface emitting microlaser based on 2D photonic crystal rod lattices.

2D photonic crystal (2D PC) structures consisting in a square lattice of Indium Phosphide (InP) microrods bonded on a Silicon/Silica Bragg mirror are experimentally investigated. We focus on slow Bloch modes above the light line, especially at the Gamma-point where a vertical emission can be obtained. Stimulated emission around 1.5 microm is demonstrated in such structures, at room temperature, for the first time. In addition the achieved threshold power lies within the range reported for surface emitting devices based on conventional lattices of holes. It is shown that the laser mode is laterally confined by a carrier induced refractive index change, under pulsed excitation. It is also demonstrated that this type of 2D PC is well suited for sensors integrated in microfluidic systems.

Absorption enhancement using photonic crystals for silicon thin film solar cells.

We propose a design that increases significantly the absorption of a thin layer of absorbing material such as amorphous silicon. This is achieved by patterning a one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC) in this layer. Indeed, by coupling the incident light into slow Bloch modes of the 1DPC, we can control the photon lifetime and then, enhance the absorption integrated over the whole solar spectrum. Optimal parameters of the 1DPC maximize the integrated absorption in the wavelength range of interest, up to 45% in both S and P polarization states instead of 33% for the unpatterned, 100 nm thick amorphous silicon layer. Moreover, the absorption is tolerant with respect to fabrication errors, and remains relatively stable if the angle of incidence is changed.

InAs quantum dot in a needlelike tapered InP nanowire: a telecom band single photon source monolithically grown on silicon.

Realizing single photon sources emitting in the telecom band on silicon substrates is essential to reach complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) compatible devices that secure communications over long distances. In this work, we propose the monolithic growth of needlelike tapered InAs/InP quantum dot-nanowires (QD-NWs) on silicon substrates with a small taper angle and a nanowire diameter tailored to support a single mode waveguide. Such a NW geometry is obtained by a controlled balance over axial and radial growths during the gold-catalyzed growth of the NWs by molecular beam epitaxy. This allows us to investigate the impact of the taper angle on the emission properties of a single InAs/InP QD-NW. At room temperature, a Gaussian far-field emission profile in the telecom O-band with a beam divergence angle θ = 30° is demonstrated using a single InAs QD embedded in a 2° tapered InP NW. Moreover, single photon emission is observed at cryogenic temperature for an off-resonant excitation and the best result, g2(0) = 0.05, is obtained for a 7° tapered NW. This all-encompassing study paves the way for the monolithic growth on silicon of an efficient single photon source in the telecom band based on InAs/InP QD-NWs.

Microlasers based on effective index confined slow light modes in photonic crystal waveguides.

We present the design, theory and experimental implementation of a low modal volume microlaser based on a line-defect 2D-photonic crystal waveguide. The lateral confinement of low-group velocity modes is controlled by the post-processing of 1 to 3microm wide PMMA strips on top of two dimensional photonic crystal waveguides. Modal volume around 1.3 (lambda/n)(3) can be achieved using this scheme. We use this concept to fabricate microlaser devices from an InP-based heterostructure including InAs(0.65)P(0.35) quantum wells emitting around 1550nm and bonded onto a fused silica wafer. We observe stable, room-temperature laser operation with an effective lasing threshold around 0.5mW.

Room-temperature InAs/InP Quantum Dots laser operation based on heterogeneous "2.5 D" Photonic Crystal.

The authors report on the design, fabrication and operation of heterogeneous and compact "2.5 D" Photonic Crystal microlaser with a single plane of InAs quantum dots as gain medium. The high quality factor photonic structures are tailored for vertical emission. The devices consist of a top two-dimensional InP Photonic Crystal Slab, a SiO(2) bonding layer, and a bottom high index contrast Si/SiO(2) Bragg mirror deposited on a Si wafer. Despite the fact that no more than about 5% of the quantum dots distribution effectively contribute to the modal gain, room-temperature lasing operation, around 1.5 microm, was achieved by photopumping. A low effective threshold, on the order of 350 microW, and a spontaneous emission factor, over 0.13, could be deduced from experiments.

Directional channel-drop filter based on a slow Bloch mode photonic crystal waveguide section.

A two-dimensional photonic crystal channel-drop filter is proposed. This device has two high group velocity waveguides that are selectively coupled by a single, low group velocity intermediate waveguide section. It exhibits computed quality factors as high as 1300, and directional dropping efficiencies as high as 90%.

Coupling analysis of heterogeneous integrated InP based photonic crystal triangular lattice band-edge lasers and silicon waveguides.

In recent years, many groups have envisioned the possibility of integrating optical and electronic devices in a single chip. In this paper, we study the integration of a photonic crystal laser fabricated in InP with a silicon passive waveguide. The coupling of energy between a 2D photonic crystal (PhC) triangular lattice band-edge laser and waveguide positioned underneath is analyzed in this paper. We show that a 40% coupling could be achieved provided the distance between the laser and the waveguide is carefully adjusted. A general description of the fabrication process used to realize these devices is also included in this paper.

Analysis of hybrid photonic crystal vertical cavity surface emitting lasers.

Vertical resonators with a top mirror constituted of 1D photonic crystal membrane on top of a Bragg stack are investigated in this paper. These structures allow the fabrication of compact vertical-cavity surfaceemitting lasers, which can be designed, in addition, for in-plane emission. With this hybrid approach, fabrication problems related to both classical VCSEL and Photonic Crystal lasers may be significantly relaxed, given that a full Bragg stack is replaced by a single photonic crystal membrane and that the Photonic Crystal is not formed in the active gain layer.

Efficient power extraction in surface-emitting semiconductor lasers using graded photonic heterostructures.

Symmetric and antisymmetric band-edge modes exist in distributed feedback surface-emitting semiconductor lasers, with the dominant difference being the radiation loss. Devices generally operate on the low-loss antisymmetric modes, although the power extraction efficiency is low. Here we develop graded photonic heterostructures, which localize the symmetric mode in the device centre and confine the antisymmetric modes close to the laser facet. This modal spatial separation is combined with absorbing boundaries to increase the antisymmetric mode loss, and force device operation on the symmetric mode, with elevated radiation efficiency. Application of this concept to terahertz quantum cascade lasers leads to record-high peak-power surface emission (>100 mW) and differential efficiencies (230 mW A(-1)), together with low-divergence, single-lobed emission patterns, and is also applicable to continuous-wave operation. Such flexible tuning of the radiation loss using graded photonic heterostructures, with only a minimal influence on threshold current, is highly desirable for optimizing second-order distributed feedback lasers.