Numerical analysis of subwavelength field effects in photonic crystal slab cavities

Abstract

Surface coupling of single quantum emitters to optical cavities consisting of a photonic crystal slab is a delicate yet crucial task for photonic quantum applications. By coupling through the evanescent surface field only small Purcell factors can be achieved. Here, we propose to introduce a pit in the slab to position the emitter closer to the mode field maximum. Photonic crystal slab L3 cavities are investigated with respect to quality factor and Purcell effect, using finite element calculations in the frequency domain. That way the spatial distribution of the Purcell factor can be calculated. Introducing a small sized pit to the surface of the photonic crystal cavity can evoke subwavelength field effects, confining the field maximum inside the pit. By engineering a pit in the center of the cavity the Purcell factor can be increased from 176 to 1331, albeit reducing the Q factor from 20769 to 16696.