Annular Bragg-defect Resonators

0401397 Yariv该方案提出了一种全新类型的光学谐振器的理论和实验研究。智力价值：谐振器属于周期性光子带隙结构中的“缺陷”谐振器类[13，14，17]。“缺陷”由圆柱形布拉格波导的理想折射率分布的受控偏离组成[3，4]。这种谐振器的主要优点是，（环形）缺陷以及因此的光限制可以随意放置在任何径向位置，而不一定在芯部或外围（像回音壁共鸣器）。此外，模态特性对横向周期性的依赖性（或准周期性）提供了一种新的和主要的自由光谱范围的控制，其可以增加，可能的话，一个数量级。此外，通过将光集中的缺陷放置在远离外边界的地方，在那里由于表面缺陷而发生不可避免的散射，新的谐振器有望潜在地消除比传统电介质对应物可能的高得多的Q因子。此外，电场与周围介质的相互作用可以通过将场限制在空气缺陷中的能力而显著增强。这对于依赖于强原子（分子）-光相互作用的光通信、光谱学、化学和生物制剂检测、量子通信和加密等应用非常重要。更广泛的影响：加州理工学院的教育环境支持和鼓励有经验的研究人员（高级研究生、博士后学者、教师）和没有经验的研究人员之间的协作和互动。暑期本科生研究奖学金（SURF）和少数民族本科生研究奖学金（MURF）等项目使加州理工学院内外的学生能够在教师和高级研究人员的指导下参与尖端科学研究。他们的团队与行业合作伙伴和政府实验室的密切合作将使学生接触到现实世界的问题，并加强新思想和技术的传播。 这项工作的成果将定期在一个研究研讨会上公布，该研讨会对所有希望参加的加州理工学院学生开放，以确保知识转移到社区。

0401397YarivThis proposal addresses theoretical and experimental investigation of a completelynew type of optical resonators.Intellectual merit:The resonator belongs to the class of "Defect" resonators in periodic photonic bandgap structures [13, 14, 17]. The "defect" consists of a controlled departure from the ideal index distribution of a cylindrical Bragg waveguide [3, 4]. The main advantage of such resonator is the fact that the (annular) defect, and therefore the light confinement, can be placed at will at any radial position and not necessarily at the core or the periphery (like whispering gallery resonators).In addition, the dependence of the modal characteristics on the transverse periodicity (or quasi periodicity) offers a new and major control of the free spectral range which can be increased by, possibly, an order of magnitude. Moreover, by placing the defect, where the light is concentrated, away from the outer boundary, where inevitable scattering due to surface imperfections take place, the new resonator promises to posses, potentially, much higher Q-factor than is possible with the conventional dielectric counterparts. In addition, the interaction of the electrical field with the surrounding medium can be enhanced significantly by the ability to confine the field in an air defect. This is important for applications including optical communication, spectroscopy, detection of chemical and biological agents, quantum communication and encryption which depend on a strong atom (molecule) - light interaction.The broader impact:The Caltech educational environment supports and encourages collaborative work and interaction between experienced researchers (senior graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty) and inexperienced researchers. Programs such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) and the Minority Undergraduate Research Fellowship (MURF) enables a diverse group of students, both from within and outside Caltech, to get involved in cutting-edge scientific research under the guidance of faculty and senior researchers. The strong collaborations of their group with industry partners and government laboratories will expose the student to real-world problems and enhance the dissemination of new ideas and technology. Periodically, results from this work will be presented in a research seminar open to all Caltech students who wish to attend, ensuring knowledge transfer to the community.