Propagation loss in photonic crystal waveguides embedding InAs/GaAs quantum dots determined by direct spectral imaging

We determine the propagation loss of GaAs photonic crystal waveguides by spectral imaging of the spontaneous emission from the embedded InAs/GaAs quantum dots. The results are compared with the loss obtained by imaging the near field of the out-of-plane radiation of the waveguide mode propagating within the light cone. From the corresponding far field, we furthermore measure the mode wavevector, from which we determine the waveguide dispersion. Additionally, we show that spectral imaging allows to determine the relative efficiencies of the couplers. Using the same experiment, and detailed photonic simulations, we have determined the beta factor and the directionality of the emission of the QDs, finding beta factors up to 99% and high directionalities.