2022 / Numerical method
Z. Zhu & C. Zheng
Uses a higher-order perturbative expansion and adaptive longitudinal discretization.
Summary & commentary →: VarRCWA: An Adaptive High-Order Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis Method 2024 / Numerical method
S. Zanotti, M. Minkov, D. Nigro, D. Gerace, S. Fan & L. C. Andreani
Expands fields in guided modes and adds symmetry, radiation and excitonic coupling treatments.
Summary & commentary →: Legume: A free implementation of the guided-mode expansion method for photonic crystal slabs 2024 / Numerical method
D. Beutel, I. Fernandez-Corbaton & C. Rockstuhl
Uses spherical/cylindrical waves, T-matrices, Ewald lattice sums and plane-wave scattering for layers.
Summary & commentary →: treams – a T-matrix-based scattering code for nanophotonics 2025 / Experiment
D. Pal & A. F. Koenderink
Combines Stokes-resolved Fourier microscopy with reciprocity-based T-matrix calculations.
Summary & commentary →: Dark Lines and Polarization Singularities in Bright Metasurface-Enhanced Fluorescence 2025 / Numerical method
K. V. Nikolaev, V. Soltwisch, M. A. Botchev, A. Fernández Herrero, P. Hönicke, F. Scholze & S. N. Yakunin
Unifies Fourier-modal and dynamical-diffraction ideas with polygonal profile descriptions.
Summary & commentary →: Polygon-based unified Fourier-modal approach for diffractive-optics simulations 2025 / Numerical method
B. Lou & S. Fan
Expands the plane-wave basis to represent multiple lattice periodicities.
Summary & commentary →: RCWA4D: Electromagnetic solver for layered structures with incommensurate periodicities 2025 / Experiment
V. Torrelli, M. C. G. Alasio, M. D’Alessandro … P. Debernardi (9 authors)
Models heat sources and the connection between temperature, thermal lensing and optical modes.
Summary & commentary →: Modeling Self-Heating in High-Power Single-Mode Phase-Coupled Linear VCSEL Arrays 2025 / Experiment
H. Lu, O. Alkhazragi, H. Lin, T. K. Ng & B. S. Ooi
Studies cavity geometries experimentally and uses 3D passive FEM mode calculations for interpretation.
Summary & commentary →: Shaping the light of VCSELs through cavity geometry design 2025 / Experiment
Takuya Inoue, Ryohei Morita, Shota Ishimura … Susumu Noda (10 authors)
Uses two photonic-crystal sections with slightly different resonances and anti-phase current injection.
Summary & commentary →: Frequency-modulated high-power photonic-crystal surface-emitting lasers for long-distance coherent free-space optical communications 2025 / Experiment
J. Cui, S. Han, B. Zhu … Q. J. Wang (10 authors)
Combines modal confinement and radiation suppression in a THz quantum-cascade platform.
Summary & commentary →: Ultracompact multibound-state-assisted flat-band lasers 2025 / Experiment
F. Jin, J. Ren, S. Zanotti … R. Su (13 authors)
Combines a perovskite excitonic medium with a moiré photonic landscape.
Summary & commentary →: Exciton polariton condensation in a perovskite moiré flat band at room temperature 2026 / Experiment
K. Seegert, R. Gajardo, G. Huyet, F. Raineri & G. Madiot
Uses asymmetric optical pumping of waveguide-coupled InP nanocavities and a carrier rate-equation model.
Summary & commentary →: Dynamical Control of Non-Hermitian Coupling between Subthreshold Nanolasers Enables Q-Switched Pulse Generation 2026 / Experiment
A. Herrero Otermin, N. Carlon Zambon, A. Bieganowska, F. Jabeen, L. Viña & C. Antón-Solanas
Patterns a GaAs/InGaAs microcavity and combines polarization-resolved measurements with modal and rate-equation models.
Summary & commentary →: Spin-polarized lasing in a photonic lattice