Far-field emission profiles from L3 photonic crystal cavity modes

We experimentally characterize the spatial far-field emission profiles for the two lowest confined modes of a photonic crystal cavity of the L3 type, finding a good agreement with FDTD simulations. We then link the far-field profiles to relevant features of the cavity mode near-fields, using a simple Fabry-Perot resonator model. The effect of disorder on far-field cavity profiles is clarified through comparison between experiments and simulations. These results can be useful for emission engineering from active centers embedded in the cavity.