Enhancement of the mode coupling in photonic-crystal-based organic lasers

The mode coupling of organic photonic crystal lasers is enhanced by using a photonic crystal that consists of a thin layer of a high-index material. The high-index material increases the index contrast, the confinement in the waveguide and thus the mode coupling. Using such a photonic crystal gives rise to new design criteria. We investigate these criteria, and employ them in the design of an organic photonic crystal laser. Calculations of the coupling constant of the organic laser show that using high-index materials results in much higher coupling constants and thus smaller devices. © 2005 IOP Publishing Ltd.