Open AccessDependencies of micro-pillar cavity quality factors calculated with finite element methods
Author(s) -
Matthias Karl,
Benjamin Kettner,
Sven Burger,
Frank Schmidt,
H. Kalt,
M. Hetterich
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.001144
Subject(s) - pillar , materials science , optics , finite element method , quality (philosophy) , semiconductor , q factor , absorption (acoustics) , optoelectronics , physics , structural engineering , quantum mechanics , resonator , engineering , thermodynamics
We present simulation results for optical modes in micro-pillar cavities that were computed with the finite element method and that show good agreement with experimental data. By means of this viable tool various influences on the quality factor of the fundamental mode were calculated: Firstly, the light confinement depends strongly on the absorption of the semiconductor cavity material. Here we were able to determine absolute maximum quality factors achievable in a GaAs/AlAs Bragg micro-pillar cavity. Furthermore, small pillar diameters as well as the inclination of pillar sidewalls show critical features with respect to light confinement. Additional effects of the top and bottom Bragg stacks in the pillar were calculated as well.