Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators Research Articles

Highly-twisted states of light from a high quality factor photonic crystal ring

Twisted light with orbital angular momentum (OAM) has been extensively studied for applications in quantum and classical communications, microscopy, and optical micromanipulation. Ejecting high angular momentum states of a whispering gallery mode (WGM) microresonator through a grating-assisted mechanism provides a scalable, chip-integrated solution for OAM generation. However, demonstrated OAM microresonators have exhibited a much lower quality factor (Q) than conventional WGM resonators (by >100×), and an understanding of the limits on Q has been lacking. This is crucial given the importance of Q in enhancing light-matter interactions. Moreover, though high-OAM states are often desirable, the limits on what is achievable in a microresonator are not well understood. Here, we provide insight on these two questions, through understanding OAM from the perspective of mode coupling in a photonic crystal ring and linking it to coherent backscattering between counter-propagating WGMs. In addition to demonstrating high-Q (105 to 106), a high estimated upper bound on OAM ejection efficiency (up to 90%), and high-OAM number (up to l = 60), our empirical model is supported by experiments and provides a quantitative explanation for the behavior of Q and the upper bound of OAM ejection efficiency with l. The state-of-the-art performance and understanding of microresonator OAM generation opens opportunities for OAM applications using chip-integrated technologies.

Sandwich structure magnetometer with a high sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio based on an ultrahigh-Q CaF2 resonator.

Whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators with an ultrahigh quality (Q) factor provide an extremely high resolution for high-precision sensing. However, it is difficult to use them directly in magnetic sensors because of the transparency to the magnetic field. In this paper, a sandwich structure consisting of a neodymium iron boron magnet and calcium fluoride resonator with a Q factor of 109 is proposed. The experimental results show that, compared with the conventional magnetometer, the signal-to-noise ratio of the optical WGM magnetometer reaches 62dB, with the direct current sensitivity of 42.59MHz/mT and the AC sensitivity of 794p T H z -1/2 at 42kHz.

Subharmonic instabilities in Kerr microcombs.

We report experimental observation of subharmonic mode excitation in primary Kerr optical frequency combs generated using crystalline whispering-gallery mode resonators. We show that the subcombs can be controlled and span a single or multiple free spectral ranges around the primary comb modes. In the spatial domain, the resulting multiscale combs correspond to an amplitude modulation of intracavity roll patterns. We perform a theoretical analysis based on eigenvalue decomposition that evidences the mechanism leading to the excitation of these combs.

Nonreciprocity in optical fiber radiation modes induced by spin–momentum locking

Nonreciprocity in optical fibers are opening new avenues for fields such as quantum computing and quantum photonics. In this study we explore the chiral properties of the radiation modes of optical fibers and show that whispering gallery mode resonances, as part of radiation modes, carry specific transverse spin angular momenta. The transverse spin angular momentum is different for forward and backward propagating radiation modes, hence indicating spin–momentum locking. As a result of spin–momentum locking, a nonreciprocity in the emission coupling of an atomic transition with a specific spin into the forward and backward propagating modes is observed. Modeling an atomic transition by a classical dipole that rotates clockwise or anticlockwise, we optimize the position of the dipole within the optical fiber to achieve maximum nonreciprocity between the coupling of the dipole emission into the forward or backward propagating mode. We find near-perfect nonreciprocity in both radiation and guided modes and further outline the fiber diameter and dipole position to achieve this state. This study not only shows the rich physics of fiber radiation modes within the context of light–matter interaction but also complements previous studies of nonreciprocity in subwavelength waveguides.

The nonlinear effects and applications of gain doped whispering-gallery mode cavities

Whispering-gallery mode (WGM) cavities formed by dielectric structures have attracted intensive interest in various fields. The high-quality factor and smaller mode volume associated with the optical modes have inspired experiments in nonlinear optics, nanophotonics, and quantum information science. Moreover, they are also used in optical biosensors and other significant applications. To further reduce the material loss of the resonator, optical gain materials, such as erbium and ytterbium, are doped into the dielectric structure to increase the nonlinear effect and enhance the interaction between light and matter. Here in this review, we outline the most recent advancements in gain-doped optical WGM microcavities. Moreover, we introduce the dynamics of the gain in WGM resonators, the integration of gain media into WGM microcavities with various shapes, and the fabrication and applications of the gain microcavities. Also, the applications of the gain cavity based on the whispering-gallery mode have been introduced, e.g., ultra-sensitive sensors, low-threshold lasers, and high-performance optical systems.

Design of Four-Channel Demultiplexer Based on Whispering-Gallery Mode Resonators

A new four-channel demultiplexer of single photons is proposed, in which four microresonators are utilized to link the four drop waveguides and the bus waveguide. By adjusting the system parameters, the crosstalk effect of the multiple channel frequencies is suppressed, and multiple peak frequencies with high drop efficiencies in these output ports are achieved. As the 2 × 2 model is scalable, the proposed structure can provide potential applications in designing scalable optical devices.

Microfibre pulling and coupling to whispering-gallery mode resonators

Whispering-gallery mode resonators have become a basic brick of modern photonics, thanks to their extremely narrow resonances. The resulting enhanced light-matter interaction can be leveraged in a variety of applications, from biological sensors to clocks and optical telecommunications. This labwork has been developped to allow Master 2 students to manipulate these resonators, as well as to illustrate wave-optics concepts seen during lectures: propagating modes, evanescent coupling, resonances and interferences.

Long-period D-fiber grating based robust and efficient bidirectional coupler for whispering gallery mode excitation.

A robust and efficient bidirectional coupler for whispering gallery mode (WGM) excitation based on a long-period grating (LPG) inscribed in D-fiber is theoretically and experimentally demonstrated. The LPG coupling the fundamental core mode to the forward propagating cladding modes according to the phase-matching condition not only enhances the evanescent field of the fiber but also selectively excites the WGM in a wavelength band of interest. Experimental results show that a maximum resonance contrast as high as 10.5 dB and a quality factor (Q-factor) on the order of 104 can be achieved in an LPG coupled spherical silica WGM resonator with a diameter of 242 µm, where the LPG with a pitch of 680 µm is fabricated by arc-discharging in a side-polished D-fiber with a maximum polishing depth of 56 µm. In addition to high robustness and efficiency, such an LPG-based WGM coupler also demonstrates bidirectionality, i.e., it is independent of the injection direction of the input light, which provides a reliable and flexible fiber coupler for the WGM resonator based practical applications.

Dominated mode switching and nanoparticle detection at exceptional points

We present a theoretical investigation of dominated mode switching and nanoparticle detection at a wavelength of 2 µm that uses coupled whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators operating at exceptional points (EPs). The simulations show that with assisted gain and loss the system can be steered to operate at EPs by adjusting the nanoparticle-introduced backscattering. The unbalanced contributions of the clockwise and counterclockwise modes can be observed when the system approaches the EPs, and the dominated mode is switchable by transiting the system from one EP to another. Owing to the square root topology of EPs, the enhanced frequency splitting can be obtained when the system is subjected to a perturbation, which results in a more than five times sensitivity enhancement compared to a traditional sensor. Furthermore, a simulation also reveals that an increased gain–loss contrast in the resonators contributes to an enhanced frequency splitting, and thus a higher sensitivity enhancement factor. Our investigations validate the feasibility of a WGM resonator operating at EPs for unidirectional laser emitting and nanoparticle sensing.

Microwave characterization of aqueous amino acid solutions using the multifrequency WGM resonator technique.

Amino acids play essential role for humans. We studied the dielectric properties of the basic aliphatic amino acids and polar positive amino acids in solutions of different concentrations. The high-Q single microwave whispering gallery-mode (WGM) quartz dielectric resonator based technique, enhanced to a number of measurement frequencies, was applied. The technique allows liquid investigation of micro- to nano- liter volumes filled in microfluidic channel on six discrete frequencies in the 30-40GHz range. The dependencies of the complex permittivity on the molar mass show almost linear behavior for aliphatic amino acids at different concentrations. The study results are in good agreement with the calculated data obtained by Cole-Cole equation.

Role of Eckhaus instability and pattern cracking in ultraslow dynamics of Kerr combs

The Eckhaus instability is a secondary instability of nonlinear spatiotemporal patterns in which high-wave-number periodic solutions become unstable against small-wave-number perturbations. Here we show that this instability can take place in Kerr combs corresponding to subcritical Turing patterns upon changes in the laser detuning. The development of the Eckhaus instability leads to the cracking of patterns and a long-lived transient where the peaks of the pattern rearrange in space due to spatial interactions. In the spectral domain, this results in a metastable Kerr comb dynamics with timescales that can be larger than 1 min. This time is, at least, seven orders of magnitude larger than the intracavity photon lifetime and is in sharp contrast with all the transient behaviors reported so far in cavity nonlinear optics that are typically only a few photon lifetimes long (i.e., in the picosecond to the microsecond range). This phenomenology, studied theoretically in the Lugiato-Lefever model and the observed dynamics is compatible with experimental observations in Kerr combs generated in ultra-high-$Q$ whispering-gallery mode resonators.

Theoretical Analysis of the Refractometric Sensitivity of a Coated Whispering Gallery Mode Resonator for Gas Sensing Applications.

We present a theoretical analysis of the refractometric sensitivity of a spherical microresonator coated with a porous sensing layer performed for different whispering gallery modes. The effective refractive index of the modes is also calculated. The calculations are also made for a system which has an additional high-refractive index layer sandwiched between the microsphere and the porous sensing layer. The results of the calculation are discussed in regards to the applicability of the studied systems for gas sensor construction.

Crystalline Hydrate Dehydration Sensing Based on Integrated Terahertz Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators

Water molecules play a very important role in the hydration and dehydration process of hydrates, which may lead to distinct physical and chemical properties, affecting their availability in practical applications. However, miniaturized, integrated sensors capable of the rapid, sensitive sensing of water molecules in the hydrate are still lacking, limiting their proliferation. Here, we realize the high-sensitivity sensing of water molecules in copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O), based on an on-chip terahertz whispering gallery mode resonator (THz-WGMR) fabricated on silicon material via CMOS-compatible technologies. An integrated THz-WGMR with a high-Q factor of 3305 and a resonance frequency of 410.497 GHz was proposed and fabricated. Then, the sensor was employed to distinguish the CuSO4·xH2O (x = 5, 3, 1). The static characterization from the CuSO4·5H2O to the copper sulfate trihydrate (CuSO4·3H2O) experienced blueshifts of 0.55 GHz/μmol, whereas the dehydration process of CuSO4·3H2O to copper sulfate monohydrate (CuSO4·H2O) exhibited blueshifts of 0.21 GHz/μmol. Finally, the dynamic dehydration processes of CuSO4·5H2O to CuSO4·3H2O at different temperatures were monitored. We believe that our proposed THz-WGMR sensors with highly sensitive substance identification capabilities can provide a versatile and integrated platform for studying the transformation between substances, contributing to hydrated/crystal water-assisted biochemical applications.

Distance calibration via Newton's rings in yttrium lithium fluoride whispering gallery mode resonators.

In this work, we analyze the first whispering gallery mode resonator (WGMR) made from monocrystalline yttrium lithium fluoride (YLF). The disc-shaped resonator is fabricated using single-point diamond turning and exhibits a high intrinsic quality factor (Q) of 8×108. Moreover, we employ a novel, to the best of our knowledge, method based on microscopic imaging of Newton's rings through the back of a trapezoidal prism. This method can be used to evanescently couple light into a WGMR and monitor the separation between the cavity and the coupling prism. Accurately calibrating the distance between a coupling prism and a WGMR is desirable as it can be used to improve experimental control and conditions, i.e., accurate coupler gap calibration can aid in tuning into desired coupling regimes and can be used to avoid potential damage caused by collisions between the coupling prism and the WGMR. Here, we use two different trapezoidal prisms together with the high-Q YLF WGMR to demonstrate and discuss this method.

Self-Stabilization by Negative Feedback of Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators Based on Optical Fiber With Active Core

A new mechanism for self-stabilizing microcavities of whispering gallery modes based on optical fibers is proposed. For this, an optical fiber with a core doped with rare-earth elements is used to build up a microresonator. Light launched into the core heats the fiber through nonradiative relaxation of the excited states and thus tunes the microresonator. We propose using an optical closed loop that couples waves circulating within the microcavity and within the core to create feedback for stabilization of the resonances.

Integrated in-Fiber Dual Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators Device

An integrated in-fiber dual whispering gallery mode resonators device is proposed. The device consists of a multimode optical fiber with a V-shaped end cavity, embedded by two microspheres and a tapered single-mode fiber. The whole device structure is sheathed by a capillary tube for protection. The device is simple in fabrication, robust in structure, and has a good quality (Q) factor of <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3.2 \times 10^{4}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> .

Glassy behavior of modes in lasing systems with varying openness: random and whispering gallery mode lasers

We elucidate lasing characteristics, intensity statistics, and glassy behavior of lasing systems with varying degrees of openness and intrinsic disorder. In this pursuit, we consider three distinct dye-doped polymer based lasing systems, i.e., a planar waveguide random laser (PWRL) and two different geometries of whispering gallery mode resonators (WGMRs), viz., spherical and bottle microresonators. In WGMRs, improved optical confinement enhances the quality factor of resonances and provides a low threshold and fast saturation of the number of lasing modes with pump strength. Additionally, covariance across the lasing mode intensities reveals the presence of strong mode competition. In PWRL, the statistical study reveals bimodal probability distribution (PD) of modal intensity fluctuations near-above threshold with their gradual transition to heavy tail PD far above the threshold, while the PDs for WGMRs were found to remain unimodal throughout the pumped regimes with transition to positively skewed unimodal distribution above the threshold. We also report correspondence between the onset of bimodal PD and the spin glass phase near-above threshold in PWRL. Such observations are absent for WGMRs, wherein the spin glass behavior at and above the threshold are relatively suppressed. The non-zero value of the spectral intensity fluctuation overlap parameter in WGMRs manifests the inherent disorder held by the system. We also discuss the requirement of strong mode coupling achieved by virtue of openness for the realization of glassy behavior in lasing systems.

A Micron-Range Displacement Sensor Based on Thermo-Optically Tuned Whispering Gallery Modes in a Microcapillary Resonator.

A novel micron-range displacement sensor based on a whispering-gallery mode (WGM) microcapillary resonator filled with a nematic liquid crystal (LC) and a magnetic nanoparticle- coated fiber half-taper is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. In the proposed device, the tip of a fiber half-taper coated with a thin layer of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) moves inside the LC-filled microcapillary resonator along its axis. The input end of the fiber half-taper is connected to a pump laser source and due to the thermo-optic effect within the MNPs, the fiber tip acts as point heat source increasing the temperature of the LC material in its vicinity. An increase in the LC temperature leads to a decrease in its effective refractive index, which in turn causes spectral shift of the WGM resonances monitored in the transmission spectrum of the coupling fiber. The spectral shift of the WGMs is proportional to the displacement of the MNP-coated tip with respect to the microcapillary's light coupling point. The sensor's operation is simulated considering heat transfer in the microcapillary filled with a LC material having a negative thermo-optic coefficient. The simulations are in a good agreement with the WGMs spectral shift observed experimentally. A sensitivity to displacement of 15.44 pm/µm and a response time of 260 ms were demonstrated for the proposed sensor. The device also shows good reversibility and repeatability of response. The proposed micro-displacement sensor has potential applications in micro-manufacturing, precision measurement and medical instruments.

Wavelength Sensing Based on Whispering Gallery Mode Mapping

We demonstrate a wavelength sensor based on whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators. For the first time, multiple polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres were simultaneously attached to a tapered fiber. WGM resonances from these commercially available PMMA microspheres were observed with a NIR camera, monitoring the scattered light. Circulating light in the WGMs was scattered on the outer layer of the microspheres and appeared as bright spots due to scattering defects. For each laser wavelength fed into the tapered fiber, the light interfered differently for the various sizes of PMMA microspheres. We measured scattered light intensity for different wavelengths and created a barcode for each microsphere. Combining these barcodes into a mode map allowed for unknown wavelength detection. A tunable laser around 1550 nm was used for measurements. As a result, a laser wavelength sensor system with a detection limit of 5 pm was demonstrated. The principles of increasing selectivity, as well as creating a compact device, were discussed.

Optical fiber hydrogen sensor based on self-assembled PDMS/Pd-WO3 microbottle resonator

In this paper, a new optical fiber hydrogen(H2) sensor based on a self-assembled microbottle resonator was proposed. The self-assembled microbottle was simply obtained by coating the single-mode fiber (SMF) with an internal composite material layer of palladium-tungsten trioxide (Pd-WO3) that was sensitive to H2 and an outer organic polymer material layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with a significant thermal response. The microbottle resonator was further fabricated by coupling a tapered fiber with the self-assembled microbottle to excite whispering gallery mode (WGM). When the WGM resonator is exposed to H2, H2 molecules penetrate the PDMS and undergo redox reaction with the Pd-WO3. After the PDMS absorbs the reaction heat, its volume and refractive index will change, along with the wavelength shift of the WGM resonator. Therefore, a simple and low-cost H2 sensor is realized by observing the shift of resonance wavelength. Experimental results showed that the hydrogen sensor had a maximum sensitivity of − 3.091 nm/% at 25 ℃. And the resonance wavelength just shifted a small distance when the relative humidity increased from 22.87 % to 84.59 % or the temperature rose from 20.2 ℃ to 30 ℃, which indicated the sensor had preferable resistance to disturbances of external humidity and temperature.