Photonic crystal coupled cavities with increased beaming and free space coupling efficiency

We implement the band-folding approach in coupled photonic crystal L3 (three missing holes) nanocavities and demonstrate a dramatic beaming improvement compatible with high-Q operation. Directional laser effect is achieved. In addition, resonant free-space coupling to the symmetric and anti-symmetric hybrid modes of the photonic molecule is shown. We measure the coupling to each mode as a function of the spatial position of the laser spot, which can be used as a technique to probe the symmetry of coupled cavity modes.