Spontaneous Emission and Laser Oscillation in Microcavities

In spite of the increasing importance of microcavities, device physics or the observable phenomena in optical microcavities such as enhanced or inhibited spontaneous emission and its relation with the laser oscillation has not been systematically well-described-until now. Spontaneous Emission and Laser Oscillation in Microcavities presents the basics of optical microcavities. The volume is divided into ten chapters, each written by respected authorities in their areas. The book surveys several methods describing free space spontaneous emission and discusses changes in the feature due to the presence of a cavity. The effect of dephasing of vacuum fields on spontaneous emission in a microcavity and the effects of atomic broadening on spontaneous emission in an optical microcavity are examined. The book details the splitting in transmission peaks of planar microcavities containing semiconductor quantum wells. A simple but useful way to consider the change in the spontaneous emission rate from the viewpoint of mode density alteration by wavelength-sized cavities is provided. Authors also discuss the spontaneous emission in dielectric planar microcavities. Spontaneous emission in microcavity surface emitting lasers is covered, as are the effects of electron confinement in semiconductor quantum wells, wires, and boxes also given. The volume extends the controlling spontaneous emission phenomenon to laser oscillation. Starting from the Fermi golden rule, the microcavity laser rate equations are derived, and the oscillation characteristics are analyzed. Recent progress in optical microcavity experiments is summarized, and the applicability in massively optical parallel processing systems and demands for the device performance are explored. This volume is extremely useful as a textbook for graduate and postgraduate students and works well as a unique reference for researchers beginning to study in the field.

Hiroyuki Yokoyama Kikuo Ujihara

Spontaneous Emission in Optical Cavities: A Tutorial Review, E.V. Goldstein and P. Meystre Introduction Free Space Spontaneous Emission Spontaneous Emission in Cavities Velocity-Dependent Spontaneous Emission Conclusion A Simple Theory on the Effect of Dephasing of Vacuum Fields on Spontaneous Emission in a Microcavity, Y. Lee Introduction Theoretical Model I Theoretical Model II Summary Appendicies A-C Effects of Atomic Broadening on Spontaneous Emission in an Optical Microcavity, K. Ujihara Introduction Analysis of Spontaneous Emission Discussion and Conclusion Microcavities and Semiconductors: The Strong-Coupling Regime, C. Weisbuch, R. Houdre, and R.P. Stanley Introduction The Fabry-Perot Resonator: A Planar Microcavity Models of Strong Light-Matter Coupling Optics of Semiconductors Conclusion Electromagnetic Field Mode Density Calculated via Mode Counting, S.D. Brorson Introduction No Confinement: A Dipole in Free Space One Dimension of Confinement: The Planar Mirror Cavity Two Dimensions of Confinement: The Waveguide Cavity Three Dimensions of Confinement: The Box Microcavity Discussion Spontaneous Emission in Dielectric Planar Microcavities, G. Bjoerk and Y. Yamamoto Introduction The Ideal Planar Cavity Fundamentals of Dielectric Bragg Mirrors Dielectric Cavity Spontaneous Emission Pattern Dielectric Cavity Spontaneous Emission Lifetime Dielectric Cavity Stimulated Emission Conclusions and Outlooks Spontaneous Emission in Microcavity Surface Emitting Lasers, T. Baba and K. Iga Introduction Spontaneous Emission in a Microcavity Expression of Radiation Energy Modes in Microcavity SELS Spontaneous Emission Factor Effects of Electron Quantum Confinement Lasing Characteristics Summary Spontaneous and Stimulated Emission in the Microcavity Laser, H. Yokoyama Introduction Photon Emission in Microcavities Microcavity Lasers Microcavity Semiconductor Lasers Prospects for Device Applications Summary Recent Progress in Optical Microcavity Experiments, H. Yokoyama Introduction Cavity Configurations Alterations in Spontaneous Emission Properties Laser Oscillation Summary Application of Microcavities: New Photoelectronic Integrated Systems, I. Hayashi Introduction Photoelectronic Integrated Systems Micro-Photoelectronic Devices Summary and Future Prospects Index