Optical eigenmodes of a multilayered spherical microcavity

The optical mode structure of a spherical microcavity has been investigated using a transfer matrix approach. We derive exact algebraic equations from which the frequencies of the optical eigenmodes of the two polarizations c an be obtained, as well as approximate explicit algebraic expressions for t hose frequencies. The spatial variation of the electric field in the dipole mode is discussed. It is found that the electric field at the centre of a spherical microcavity is non-zero for only one optical eigenmode.