System and method for strong photon localization by disordered photonic crystal structures

摘要

Periodic high-index-contrast photonic crystal (PhC) structures such as two-dimensional arrays of air holes in dielectric slabs inhibit light propagation in bands of frequencies and confine light in dislocations where the lattice periodicity is broken. The present invention is a conceptually different approach to photon localization in PhC structures. The disclosed design concept introduces structural perturbations uniformly throughout the fabricated crystal by deliberately changing the shape or orientations of elements that form the lattice. Optimized introduction of such random structural perturbations produces optical nanocavities with ultra-small modal volumes and high quality (Q) factors of over 250,000. Applications of such disordered photonic crystal structures are disclosed for optical sensing systems and random nano-lasers.