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Ultrasmall Mode Volumes in Dielectric Optical Microcavities

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 (United States)
We theoretically demonstrate a mechanism for reduction of mode volume in high index contrast optical microcavities to below a cubic half wavelength. We show that by using dielectric discontinuities with subwavelength dimensions as a means of local field enhancement, the effective mode volume (V{sub eff}) becomes wavelength independent. Cavities with V{sub eff} on the order of 10{sup -2}({lambda}/2n){sup -3} can be achieved using such discontinuities, with a corresponding increase in the Purcell factor of nearly 2 orders of magnitude relative to previously demonstrated high index photonic crystal cavities.
OSTI ID:
20696523
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 14 Vol. 95; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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