Abstract
We describe experiments on a quasi-two-dimensional (2-D) optical system
consisting of a triangular array of air cylinders etched through a laser-like Ga(Al)As
waveguiding heterostructure. Such a configuration is shown to yield results very well
approximated by the infinite 2-D photonic crystal (PC). We first present a set of
measurements of the optical properties (transmission, reflection, and diffraction) of
slabs of these photonic crystals, including the case of in-plane Fabry-Perot cavities
formed between two such crystals. The measurement method makes use of the guided
photoluminescence of embedded quantum wells or InAs quantum dots to generate an internal
probe beam. Out-of-plane scattering losses are evaluated by various means. In a second
part, in-plane micrometer-sized photonic boxes bounded by circular trenches or by
two-dimensional photonic crystal are probed by exciting spontaneous emission inside
them. The high quality factors observed in such photon boxes demonstrate the excellent
photon confinement attainable in these systems and allow to access the detail of the
modal structure. Last, some perspectives for applications are offered.
© 1999 IEEE
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