This image showcases the central structure of a photonic cavity, ingeniously created from two separate halves that spontaneously unite into a singular entity. This cavity uniquely traps light within an ultra-narrow space, mere atoms in breadth, as depicted under the scrutiny of a magnifying lens. Image Credits: Thor A. S. Weis.
A recent publication in the journal Nature highlights a groundbreaking fusion of two nanotechnological methods, harnessing a novel fabrication technique. This technique adeptly merges the broad applicability of semiconductor processes with the precise, atom-scale potential of self-assembly methods.
Achieving enhanced interaction between light and matter is a pivotal aim in the fields of quantum optics and photonics, vital for advancing technologies like superior photodetectors or quantum light sources. Achieving this requires optical resonators capable of prolonged light retention, thereby intensifying its interaction with matter. Miniaturization of these resonators to confine light in a minuscule space significantly boosts this interaction. Ideally, a resonator would retain light extensively within a space as small as a single atom.
Challenges in Miniaturizing Resonators
The quest to reduce the size of optical resonators while maintaining efficiency has been a long-standing challenge for physicists and engineers. The semiconductor industry predicts that the smallest feasible dimension for a semiconductor structure in the coming 15 years is around 8 nm, equivalent to tens of
