Arbitrary electro-optic bandwidth and frequency control in lithium niobate optical resonators

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Materials Science
• Quantum Optics

Background:

• Photonic devices typically have fixed resonances and bandwidths.
• Tunable photonic filters and memories are critical for quantum and classical optics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate an in situ tunable optical resonator on thin-film lithium niobate.
• To achieve widely tunable control over resonator frequency and bandwidth.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the linear electro-optic effect in thin-film lithium niobate.
• Fabricated and tested two distinct tunable optical resonator devices.
• Developed a closed-form model to predict device tuning behavior.

Main Results:

• Achieved widely tunable control over resonator frequency and bandwidth.
• Observed up to 50x tuning in bandwidth over ~50 V.
• Demonstrated linear frequency control of ~230 MHz/V.

Conclusions:

• The developed device enables rapid phase and amplitude control of transmitted light.
• This work paves the way for advanced tunable photonic devices.
• Highlights the potential of thin-film lithium niobate for tunable optical applications.