S. Klembt

Strong coupling in monolithic microcavities with ZnSe quantum wells

Strong light-matter coupling is demonstrated in monolithic microcavities with only three ZnSe quantum wells embedded. Basis for this observation is the excellent structural quality of the sample as confirmed by scanning transmission electron microscopy measurements. A comparative large energy splitting between the upper and lower polariton (LP) of about 19 meV is observed by reflectivity measurements in real and k-space. Efficient polariton relaxation is shown by photoluminescence measurements at low temperatures in k-space. These beneficial properties of the sample result in a nonlinear increase of the lower polariton population in excitation density dependent measurements before the photonic cavity emission becomes dominant.

High-reflectivity II-VI-based distributed Bragg reflectors for the blue-violet spectral range

We report on the realization of a high quality distributed Bragg reflector for the blue-violet spectral range, with both high and low refractive index layers lattice matched to the GaAs substrate. Our structure is grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The high refractive index layer is made of ZnMgSSe, while the low index material consists of a short period superlattice containing MgS and ZnCdSe. The refractive index step of Δn = 0.43 results in a stop band width of 40 nm and the normalized reflectivity exceeds 99% for 21 Bragg pairs.

Optical properties of photonic molecules and elliptical pillars made of ZnSe-based microcavities

The influence of the geometric shape of optically confining structures on the emission properties of ZnSe-based microcavities is studied. Elliptical as well as coupled circular structures were fabricated with quantum wells or quantum dots as optical active material. For the elliptical pillars a lifting of the polarization degeneracy of the resonator modes is observed as it is favorable to control the polarization state of the emitted photons. The influence of the ellipticity on the polarization splitting of the fundamental mode as well as on the quality factor of the sample is discussed. For the coupled pillar microcavities the effect of their distance on the energy splitting of the fundamental resonator mode is analyzed. Furthermore, detailed measurements of the spatial mode distribution in elliptically shaped pillars and photonic molecules are performed. By comparing these results to the calculated mode distribution their analogy to a diatomic molecule is illustrated. It turns out that the observed mode splitting into localized bonding and delocalized antibonding states in ZnSe-based microcavities is more pronounced for elliptical geometries. The realization of delocalized mode profiles is favorable for the coupling of spatially separated quantum dots.

Blue monolithic II-VI-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser

We report on laser operation of optically pumped, fully epitaxial blue vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. The ZnSe-based structures posses a bottom and top distributed Bragg reflector consisting of ZnMgSSe as high-index material and a short-period superlattice of MgS/ZnCdSe as low-index material. The cavity has an optical thickness of λ and contains three ZnSe quantum wells surrounded by ZnMgSSe barriers. To illustrate the specific issues related to this demanding material combination, we compare two epitaxial structures of different crystalline quality. A minimum threshold of 5 pJ is observed for laser emission at 443 nm comparable to values reported for nitride based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.

Tailoring the optical properties of wide-bandgap based microcavities via metal films

We report on the tuning of the optical properties of II-VI-material-based microcavity samples, which is achieved by depositing Ag films on top of the structures. The micro-reflectivity spectra show a spectral shift of the sample resonance dependent on the metal layer thickness. By comparison of the experimental findings with the theoretical calculations applying the transfer matrix method on a metal-dielectric mirror structure, the influence of the metal layer particularly with regard to its partial oxidation was explored. Tamm plasmon modes are created at the interface between an open cavity with three ZnSe quantum wells and a metal layer on top. When tuning the excitonic emission relative to the mode by changing the sample temperature, an anticrossing of the resonances was observed. This is a clear indication that the strong coupling regime has been achieved in that sample configuration yielding a Rabi splitting of 18.5 meV. These results are promising for the realization of polariton-based optical devices with a rather simple sample configuration.

Tunable Bragg polaritons and nonlinear emission from a hybrid metal-unfolded ZnSe-based microcavity

Strong light-matter interaction in Bragg structures possesses several advantages over conventional microcavity system. These structures provide an opportunity to incorporate a large number of quantum wells without increasing the mode volume. Further, it is expected that the strong coupling could occur over the entire thickness of the Bragg structure, and the system offers an improved overlap between exciton wave function and light mode. However, advanced experiments in Bragg structures require a precise control and manipulation of quantum states of Bragg polaritons. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate novel methods for the modulation of Bragg polariton eigenstates. The modulation will be shown to even exceed 10 meV if the thickness of the top layer of the ZnSe-based Bragg structure is changed or if a thin silver layer is deposited on top of the structure. The Q value of the Bragg mode will be enhanced by a factor of 2.3 for a 30 nm silver layer. In addition, we report on the observation of nonlinear emission of the lower Bragg polariton mode in the hybrid structure being achieved when excitation dependent measurements are performed. Our results open the door to create a confined Bragg polariton system similar to conventional microcavities.