Annular Bragg-defect Resonators

本文提出了一种全新的光学谐振器的理论和实验研究。智力优势：该谐振器属于周期性光子带隙结构中的“缺陷”谐振器[13,14,17]。“缺陷”包括受控偏离圆柱形布拉格波导的理想折射率分布[3,4]。这种谐振器的主要优点是（环形）缺陷，因此光约束，可以随意放置在任何径向位置，而不一定是在核心或外围（像低语画廊谐振器）。此外，模态特性对横向周期性（或准周期性）的依赖提供了一个新的和主要的自由光谱范围控制，可以增加，可能，一个数量级。此外，通过将光集中的缺陷放置在远离外部边界的地方，在那里由于表面缺陷而不可避免地发生散射，新的谐振器有望拥有，潜在的，比传统的介电谐振器高得多的q因子。此外，电场与周围介质的相互作用可以通过将电场限制在空气缺陷中的能力得到显著增强。这对于光通信、光谱学、化学和生物试剂检测、量子通信和依赖于强原子（分子）-光相互作用的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。夏季本科生研究奖学金（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学院内外的不同学生群体能够在教师和高级研究人员的指导下参与尖端科学研究。他们的团队与行业伙伴和政府实验室的紧密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。这项工作的结果将定期在一个研究研讨会上向所有希望参加的加州理工学院学生开放，以确保知识向社区转移。

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.