Microcavity resonance condition, quality factor, and mode volume are determined by different penetration depths

Optics Express, vol. 29, pp. 6879

Abstract

The penetration depth in a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) co-determines the resonance condition, quality factor, and mode volume of DBR-based microcavities. Recent studies have used an incomplete description of the penetration depth and incorrect equations. We present a complete analysis that involves three different penetration depths. We also present a series of experiments on microcavities to accurately determine the frequency and modal penetration depth of our DBRs and compare these results with theoretical predictions. The obtained results are relevant for anyone who models a DBR as an effective hard mirror if lengths of the order of the wavelength are relevant, as is the case for microcavities.

Authors 2

1. C. Koks Aachen Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

   Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9504, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

2. Martin P. Van Exter Aachen Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

   Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9504, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands