  Recently, we developed a new family of 3D photonic hollow resonators which
theoretically allow tight confinement of light in a fluid (gaz or liquid): the
photon cages. These new resonators could be ideal for sensing applications
since they not only localize the electromagnetic energy in a small mode volume
but also enforce maximal overlap between this localized field and the
environment (i.e. a potential volume of nano-particles). In this work, we will
present numerical and experimental studies of the interaction of a photon cage
optical mode with nano-emitters. For this, PbS quantum dot emitters in a PDMS
host matrix have been introduced in photon cages designed to have optimal
confinement properties when containing a PDMS-based active medium.
Photoluminescence measurements have been performed and the presence of quantum
dot emitters in the photon cages has been demonstrated.
