Time-resolved catch and release of an optical pulse from a dynamic photonic crystal nanocavity

Abstract

We perform time-domain measurements of the interaction between light and silicon photonic crystal nanocavities under dynamic Q factor control. Time-resolved evidence of optical pulse capture and release on demand is demonstrated and compared for samples with dynamic Q ranges from ~3, 000 to 26, 000 and from 18, 500 to 48, 000. Observing the energy behaviour in response to dynamic control provides insight not available with time-integrated measurements into factors influencing device performance such as carrier absorption and pulse capture efficiency.