We present a general, rigorous, modal formalism for modeling light propagation and light emission in three-dimensional (3D) periodic waveguides and in aggregates of them. In essence, the formalism is a generalization of well-known modal concepts for translation-invariant waveguides to situations involving stacks of periodic waveguides. By surrounding the actual stack by perfectly-matched layers (PMLs) in the transverse directions, reciprocity considerations lead to the derivation of Bloch-mode orthogonality relations in the sense of E x H products, to the normalization of these modes, and to the proof of the symmetrical property of the scattering matrix linking the Bloch modes. The general formalism, which rigorously takes into account radiation losses resulting from the excitation of radiation Bloch modes, is implemented with a Fourier numerical approach. Basic examples of light scattering like reflection, transmission and emission in periodic-waveguides are accurately resolved.

Through a new rigorous Bloch-mode formalism, we theoretically study the generation of photons in single-row-defect photonic-crystal waveguides. In contrast with previous related works relying on a reinforcement of the spontaneous emission (SE) through microcavity effects, we explore situations for which the SE into radiation modes is reduced to a very low level while the SE into the guided mode is maintained at a level comparable to that in the bulk material. Remarkably large SE beta factors in excess of 95% are obtained, and since no resonance effect is involved, this efficiency is achieved over a 40-nm-large spectral interval at lambda approximately 950 nm.

When a guided wave is impinging onto a Photonic Crystal (PC) mirror, a fraction of the light is not reflected back and is radiated into the claddings. We present a theoretical and numerical study of this radiation problem for several three-dimensional mirror geometries which are important for light confinement in micropillars, air-bridge microcavities and two-dimensional PC microcavities. The cause of the radiation is shown to be a mode-profile mismatch. Additionally, design tools for reducing this mismatch by tuning the mirror geometry are derived. These tools are validated by numerical results performed with a three-dimensional Fourier modal method. Several engineered mirror geometries which lower the radiation loss by several orders of magnitude are designed.

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