Selective etching of pre-stressed multi-layered structures releases intrinsic stresses creating flexible macroscopic shapes (rolls, spirals, tubes…). Combining mechanical and photonic concepts, we develop an experimental approach by controlling material composition, mask design and etching process in order to obtain prescribed macroscopic 3D hollow optical micro-cavities. New photonic microstructures are proposed for an efficient light trapping in low index media. Cylindrical hollow cavities formed by bending a photonic crystal membrane are designed. Using numerical simulations, strong confinement of photons is demonstrated for very open resonators. The resulting strong light matter interaction can be exploited in optical devices comprising an active material embedded in a low index matrix like polymer or even gaz.

Date Published: 1 June 2015
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 9520, Integrated Photonics: Materials, Devices, and Applications III, 95200O (1 June 2015); doi: 10.1117/12.2178486

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9520:
Integrated Photonics: Materials, Devices, and Applications III
Jean-Marc Fédéli, Editor(s)