Real-time imaging of standing-wave patterns in microresonators

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Optical Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Real-time characterization of microresonator dynamics is crucial for applications like near-field sensing and understanding light-matter interactions.
• Optical ring resonators are key components in photonic integrated circuits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a camera-facilitated method for imaging and analyzing standing wave patterns in optical ring resonators.
• To demonstrate subwavelength distance measurements with nanometer-level accuracy using visualized standing waves.

Main Methods:

• Bidirectional pumping of an optical ring resonator to generate standing wave patterns.
• Collection of scattered light using a short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera.
• Modulation of the relative phase between pump waves to control standing wave movement.

Main Results:

• Wavelength-dependent scattering patterns were recorded.
• Scattered intensity showed a linear relationship with circulating power.
• Demonstrated control over standing wave movement and resonator characterization via SWIR camera.

Conclusions:

• The visualized standing wave enables subwavelength distance measurements of scattering targets with nanometer-level accuracy.
• This technique offers broad applications in on-chip near-field sensing, real-time characterization of photonic integrated circuits, and telecom systems.