Abstract
Tunable open-access Fabry–Pérot microcavities enable the combination of cavity enhancement with high resolution imaging. To assess the limits of this technique originating from background variations, we perform high-finesse scanning cavity microscopy of pristine planar mirrors. We observe spatially localized features of strong cavity transmission reduction for certain cavity mode orders, and periodic background patterns with high spatial frequency. We show in detailed measurements that the localized structures originate from resonant transverse-mode coupling and arise from the topography of the planar mirror surface, in particular its local curvature and gradient. We further examine the background patterns and find that they derive from non-resonant mode coupling, and we attribute it to the micro roughness of the mirror. Our measurements and analysis elucidate the impact of imperfect mirrors and reveal the influence of their microscopic topography. This is crucial for the interpretation of scanning cavity images, and could provide relevant insight for precision applications such as gravitational wave detectors, laser gyroscopes, and reference cavities.
Highlights
Optical microcavities are a powerful tool to enhance light–matter interactions for a variety of applications [1]
To understand and quantify the effects, we perform extensive scanning cavity microscopy (SCM) measurements of pristine planar dielectric mirrors with high reflectivity. We find that both types of artefacts are related to transverse mode coupling, which is present due to imperfect mirror shapes [17]
We have analyzed artefacts that regularly appear in SCM and found consistent explanations that can describe the observations
Summary
To assess the limits of this technique originating from background variations, Any further distribution of this work must maintain we perform high-finesse scanning cavity microscopy of pristine planar mirrors. We observe spatially attribution to the author(s) and the title of localized features of strong cavity transmission reduction for certain cavity mode orders, and periodic the work, journal citation background patterns with high spatial frequency. Our measurements and analysis elucidate the impact of imperfect mirrors and reveal the influence of their microscopic topography. This is crucial for the interpretation of scanning cavity images, and could provide relevant insight for precision applications such as gravitational wave detectors, laser gyroscopes, and reference cavities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
