Optical modelling of photonic crystals and VCSELs using eigenmode expansion and perfectly matched layers

We present a modelling approach for photonic crystal structures and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). This method is based on vectorial eigenmode expansion combined with perfectly matched layer (PML) boundary conditions. Compared to other methods, a relatively small computational effort is required, while at the same time accurate results are obtained, even in the presence of strong scattering and diffraction losses.