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Here we report a photonic crystal with a split ring unit cell shape that demonstrates an order of magnitude larger peak electric field energy density compared with that of a traditional photonic crystal. Split ring photonic crystals possess several subwavelength tuning parameters, including split ring rotation angle and split width, which can be leveraged to modify light confinement for specific applications. Modifying the split ring’s parameters allows for tuning of the peak electric field energy density in the split by over one order of magnitude and tuning of the air band edge wavelength by nearly 10 nm in the near infrared region. Designed to have highly focused optical energy in an accessible subwavelength gap, the split ring photonic crystal is well suited for applications including optical biosensing, optical trapping, and enhanced emission from a quantum dot or other nanoscale emitter that could be incorporated in the split.

We report simulations and experimental measurement of a photonic crystal (PhC) designed with different unit cell geometries in a single device. This “mix-and-match” approach enables enhanced mode manipulation by incorporating non-traditional unit cell shapes into a one-dimensional PhC nanobeam cavity. Inclusion of a bowtie-shaped unit cell in the center of a mix-and-match PhC nanobeam cavity comprised elsewhere of either circular or antislot unit cells leads to a 2 order of magnitude reduction in the mode volume of the cavity while maintaining a similar quality factor.