Annular Bragg-defect Resonators

本提案对一种全新的光学谐振器进行了理论和实验研究。智能优点：该谐振器属于周期光子带隙结构中的“缺陷”谐振器[13，14，17]。这种“缺陷”是指可控制地偏离理想折射率分布的圆柱形布拉格波导[3，4]。这种谐振器的主要优点是，(环形)缺陷和光限制可以随意放置在任何径向位置，而不一定放置在核心或外围(如回音廊谐振器)。此外，模式特性对横向周期(或准周期)的依赖提供了一种新的主要控制自由光谱范围的方法，可能会增加一个数量级。此外，通过将缺陷放置在光集中的地方，远离由于表面缺陷而不可避免地发生散射的外部边界，新的谐振器有望具有潜在地比传统介质对应的更高的Q因数。此外，通过将电场限制在空气缺陷中的能力，可以显著增强电场与周围介质的相互作用。这对于光通信、光谱学、化学和生物制剂的检测、量子通信和加密等应用非常重要，这些应用依赖于强烈的原子(分子)-光相互作用。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、教职员工)和没有经验的研究人员之间的合作和互动。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)等项目使来自加州理工大学内外的不同群体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强大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研究研讨会上公布，所有希望参加的加州理工学生都可以参加，以确保向社区传递知识。

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.