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Microwave Photonics Systems Based on Whispering-gallery-mode Resonators
Published on: August 5, 2013
Coherent backscattering in lithium niobate whispering-gallery-mode resonators
Makan Mohageg1, Anatoliy Savchenkov, Lute Maleki
1Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109-8099, USA. makan.mohageg@gmail.com
Optics Letters
|September 4, 2007
Summary
High-quality whispering gallery modes in lithium niobate resonators split into two, indicating efficient energy transfer. This demonstrates that fabrication methods are sufficient for high-performance optical devices.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Materials Science
- Optics
Background:
- Whispering gallery modes (WGMs) are crucial for optical resonators.
- Lithium niobate (LiNbO3) is a key material for integrated optics.
- Achieving material-limited quality factors is essential for advanced photonic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the splitting of high-Q WGMs in LiNbO3 resonators.
- To quantify the energy transfer rate between counterpropagating modes.
- To assess the impact of fabrication on resonator performance.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a resonator from LiNbO3.
- Observation of WGM splitting into a doublet of counterpropagating modes.
- Measurement of frequency detuning to calculate energy-transfer rate.
Main Results:
- Observed splitting of high-Q WGMs into a doublet.
- Calculated an energy-transfer rate of 10 MHz.
- Determined maximum internal refractive index variation of ~10(-7).
Conclusions:
- The mechanical fabrication process for LiNbO3 resonators is sufficient.
- Material-limited quality factors are achievable.
- Demonstrates potential for high-performance photonic devices.
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