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Ultra-high quality factor optical resonators based on semiconductor nanowires.
1School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. yinan@seas.harvard.edu
Optics Express
|October 30, 2008
Summary
We developed a platform for ultra-high Quality factor (Q) optical resonators using semiconductor nanowires. This breakthrough significantly enhances Q factors for advanced quantum optical devices and lasers.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Nanotechnology
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Semiconductor nanowires offer potential for optical devices.
- Existing nanowire resonators have limited Quality factors (Q).
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and propose a platform for ultra-high Q optical resonators using semiconductor nanowires.
- To enable advanced quantum optical applications through enhanced resonator performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing one-dimensional photonic crystals at nanowire ends.
- Engineering microcavity patterns within the nanowire structure.
Main Results:
- Designed optical resonators with a Quality factor (Q) of 3 x 10^5.
- Achieved a mode volume smaller than 0.2 (lambda/n)^3.
- Demonstrated an increase of nearly three orders of magnitude in Q factor compared to as-grown nanowires.
Conclusions:
- The proposed platform enables ultra-high Q optical resonators.
- These resonators are suitable for low-threshold nanowire lasers and single-photon sources.
- The devices facilitate quantum optical applications operating in the strong-coupling limit.
