Difference frequency generation in GaAs microdisks

Semiconductor-based whispering-gallery-mode microcavities are very promising for nonlinear optics applications, thanks to the high optical quality factors attainable with today's technology. We propose to exploit this advantage to generate cw light through phase-matched difference frequency generation in a triply resonant GaAs microdisk. A proper choice of the microdisk radius and thickness allows one to select the generated wavelength in the band of 2.5-2.9 microm. Besides illustrating the design features, we numerically show that temperature can be effectively used to compensate for wavelength shifts induced on the generated field by fabrication errors.