Open AccessInvestigation of optical nonlinearities in an ultra-high-Q Si nanocavity in a two-dimensional photonic crystal slab
Author(s) -
Takehiko Uesugi,
Biao Song,
Tanemasa Asano,
Susumu Noda
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/opex.14.000377
Subject(s) - photonic crystal , optics , materials science , absorption (acoustics) , slab , kerr effect , optoelectronics , wavelength , free carrier absorption , nonlinear optics , two photon absorption , optical power , q factor , coupled mode theory , refractive index , nonlinear system , physics , resonator , laser , quantum mechanics , geophysics
We investigated the characteristics of an ultra-high-Q photonic nanocavity (Q = ~230,000 and modal volume = ~1.2 cubic wavelengths) at various input light powers. The cavity characteristics were red-shifted as the input power increased. This nonlinearity could be explained by coupled-mode theory, taking into account two-photon absorption, the associated free-carrier absorption, consequent free-carrier absorption, plasma effect, thermo-optic effect, and a Kerr effect. Nonlinear cavity characteristics were observed at an extremely low input light power of 10 muW. We confirmed that these low-power nonlinear optical effects could be attributed to the ultra-high Q factor of the nanocavity.