Experimental Realization of Deep Subwavelength Confinement in Dielectric Optical Resonators

摘要

The ability to highly localize light with strong electric field enhancementis critical for enabling higher efficiency solar cells, light sources, andmodulators. While deep subwavelength modes can be realized with plasmonicresonators, large losses in these metal structures preclude most practicalapplications. We developed an alternative approach to achieving subwavelengthconfinement that is not accompanied by inhibitive losses. We experimentallydemonstrate a dielectric bowtie photonic crystal structure that supports modevolumes commensurate with plasmonic elements and quality factors that revealultra-low losses. Our approach opens the door to the extremely stronglight-matter interaction regime with simultaneously both ultra-low mode volumeand ultra-high quality factor that has remained elusive in optical resonators.