title: High-index sensitivity of surface mode in photonic crystal hetero-slab-edge microcavity.
abstract: We introduce a photonic crystal hetero-slab-edge microcavity design with surface mode, which is beneficial for optical index sensing. The simulated index sensitivity (R(n)) as high as 675 nm per refractive index unit (nm/RIU) variation is obtained with slab thickness of 180 nm. In experiments, single surface mode lasing action from a real device is observed. Based on the surface mode in this microcavity, high experimental R(n) value of 625 nm/RIU is achieved by detecting index variation in a CO(2) chamber with different gas pressures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Rm. 415 CPT Building, 1001 Ta-Hsueh Road, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan. ricky.eo94g@nctu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Tsan-Wen
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Yi-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.forename: Wei-De
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Po-Tsung
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Lee