Photoelastic ultrasound detection using ultra-high-Q silica optical resonators

As a result of its non-invasive and non-destructive nature, ultrasound imaging has found a variety of applications in a wide range of fields, including healthcare and electronics. One accurate and sensitive approach for detecting ultrasound waves is based on optical microcavities. Previous research using polymer microring resonators demonstrated detection based on the deformation of the cavity induced by the ultrasound wave. An alternative detection approach is based on the photoelastic effect in which the ultrasound wave induces a strain in the material that is converted to a refractive index change. In the present work, photoelastic-based ultrasound detection is experimentally demonstrated using ultra high quality factor silica optical microcavities. As a result of the increase in Q and in coupled power, the noise equivalent pressure is reduced, and the device response is increased. A finite element method model that includes both the acoustics and optics components of this system is developed, and the predictive accuracy of the model is determined.