Photon coupling-induced spectrum envelope modulation in the coupled resonators from Vernier effect to harmonic...

Area of Science:

• Optics
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• The Vernier effect and harmonic Vernier effect are crucial for tunable lasers, modulators, and precision sensing.
• Current methods rely on two isolated optical resonators (reference and tunable), demanding a stable reference for reliable readout.
• This stability requirement poses a significant challenge for practical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel coupled-resonator configuration for reference-free spectral envelope modulation.
• To overcome the limitations of existing methods requiring stable reference resonators.
• To explore new avenues for multiplexing spectral envelope modulations.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical exploration of a coupled-resonator system where parameters span a hypersurface.
• Experimental verification using coupled air and polydimethylsiloxane resonators.
• Incorporation of a semi-transparent 2-mercaptobenzimidazole-modified silver nanowire network.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a reference-free spectral envelope modulation independent of a reference resonator.
• Achieved experimental validation of the coupled-resonator mechanism.
• Introduced a new degree of freedom in reciprocal space for multiplexing envelope modulations.

Conclusions:

• The coupled-resonator configuration offers a robust solution for spectral envelope modulation without a reference resonator.
• This work advances fundamental research in spectral envelope multiplexing.
• The integration of silver nanowire networks and flexible microcavities paves the way for optoelectronic integration within resonators.