A one-dimensional photonic-crystal nanocavity incorporating a fluorescent molecular dye

We model the optical properties of a SiN based one-dimensional waveguide photonic crystal nanocavity with three tapered air holes as a function of the photonic crystal mirror fill factor using finite difference time domain calculations. We show that the Q-factor of this type of cavity has a strong dependence on the mirror fill factor, with a Q-factor as high as 35 000 predicted. Experimental studies on a range of representative structures whose surface is coated with a layer of a fluorescent dye confirm our modeling and reveal that such structures are characterized by a single optical mode having a Q-factor of 2000. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3497647]