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Microwave Photonics Systems Based on Whispering-gallery-mode Resonators
Published on: August 5, 2013
Micro-resonator with metallic mirrors coupled to a bus waveguide.
Steve Zamek1, Liang Feng, Mercedeh Khajavikhan
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. szamek@ucsd.edu
Optics Express
|March 4, 2011
Summary
We developed a novel silicon micro-resonator using metallic mirrors for enhanced light manipulation. This device shows promising performance for integrated photonic applications, demonstrating high quality factors and a specific free spectral range.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Integrated Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Micro-resonators are crucial components in integrated photonics for controlling light.
- Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platforms offer excellent optical properties and CMOS compatibility.
- Metallic mirrors can enhance resonator performance by improving confinement and reducing losses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically investigate and experimentally demonstrate a novel micro-resonator design.
- To characterize the optical performance of the fabricated micro-resonator.
- To assess the potential of this device for integrated photonic circuits.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a channel waveguide micro-resonator on a silicon-on-insulator platform.
- Side coupling the micro-resonator to a bus waveguide.
- Theoretical analysis and experimental measurement of optical transmission spectra.
- Characterization of key resonator parameters like Q-factor and free spectral range.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of a micro-resonator with a channel waveguide and metallic mirrors.
- Achieved an unloaded Q-factor of approximately 2100.
- Measured a free spectral range of 21 nm around 1.55 μm wavelength.
- The resonator length was 13.4 μm.
Conclusions:
- The demonstrated micro-resonator design is effective for integrated photonics.
- The use of metallic mirrors contributes to the observed high Q-factor.
- This device shows potential for applications in optical sensing, filtering, and communication systems.
