Record Purcell factors in ultracompact hybrid plasmonic ring resonators

Abstract

For integrated optical devices and traveling-wave resonators, realistic use of the superior wave-matter interaction offered by plasmonics is impeded by ohmic loss, which increases rapidly with mode volume reduction. In this work, we report composite hybrid plasmonic waveguides (CHPWs) that are not only capable of guiding subwavelength optical mode with long-range propagation but also unrestricted by stringent requirements in structural, material, or modal symmetry. In these asymmetric CHPWs, the versatility afforded by coupling dissimilar plasmonic modes provides improved fabrication tolerance and more degrees of device design optimization. Experimental realization of CHPWs demonstrates propagation loss and mode area of 0.03 dB/μm and 0.002 μm², corresponding to the smallest combination among long-range plasmonic structures reported to date. CHPW ring resonators with 2.5-μm radius were realized with record Purcell factor compared with existing plasmonic and dielectric resonators of similar radii.