Optical microresonator with resonant waveguide imparting polarization

• US 20060239613A1
• Filed: 04/26/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lange, Michael R., Montgomery, Robert M., DeRoy, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,424,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/39
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12007 forming wavelength selective elements, e.g. multiplexer, demultiplexer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/29341 Loop resonators operating in a whispering gallery mode evanescently coupled to a light guide, e.g. sphere or disk or cylinder evanescent coupling for sensing fluorescence G01N21/648
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/29343 Cascade of loop resonators

Abstract

An optical microresonator is formed as a microcylinder and a resonant waveguide on the microcylinder and having a plurality of spaced resonant elements such as circumferential ridges for optically coupling light from an optical source waveguide onto the microcylinder. The resonant elements have a spacing, height and angle to impart a desire polarization and bring in the polarization states into degenerancy. A coating could also be formed over the resonant waveguide and operative with the resonant waveguide and of a refractive index to bring any polarization states into degenerancy.

Claims

1. An optical microresonator comprising:

a microcylinder; and

a resonant waveguide formed on the microcylinder and having a plurality of spaced resonant elements for optically coupling light from an optical source waveguide onto the microcylinder, wherein said spaced resonant elements having a spacing, height and angle to impart a desired polarization and bring any polarization states into degenerancy.

2. An optical microresonator according to claim 1 wherein said microcylinder has a diameter of about 8 to about 150 microns.

3. An optical microresonator according to claim 1 wherein said spaced resonant elements are formed parallel to each other.

4. An optical microresonator according to claim 1 wherein said spaced resonant elements are formed in a spiral configuration.

5. An optical microresonator according to claim 1 wherein said spaced resonant elements are formed as circumferential ridges.

6. An optical microresonator coupling system comprising:

an optical source waveguide that receives light;

a microcylinder and resonant waveguide formed on the microcylinder and having a plurality of spaced resonant elements formed for optically coupling light from the optical source waveguide onto the microcylinder, wherein said spaced resonant elements have a spacing, height and angle to impart a desired polarization and bring any polarization states into degenerancy; and

an optical exit waveguide positioned adjacent the microcylinder and spaced from the optical source waveguide for coupling light from microcylinder into the optical exit waveguide.

7. An optical microresonator coupling system according to claim 6 wherein said microcylinder has a diameter of about 8 to about 150 microns.

8. An optical microresonator coupling system according to claim 6 said spaced resonant elements are formed parallel to each other.

9. An optical microresonator coupling system according to claim 6 wherein said spaced resonant elements are formed in a spiral configuration.

10. An optical microresonator coupling system according to claim 6 wherein said optical source and exit waveguides each comprise an optical fiber.

11. An optical microresonator coupling system according to claim 6 wherein said spaced resonant elements are formed as circumferential ridges.

12. An optical microresonator comprising:

a microcylinder;

a resonant waveguide formed on the microcylinder and having a plurality of spaced resonant elements for optically coupling light from an optical source waveguide onto the microcylinder; and

a coating formed over the resonant waveguide and operative with the resonant waveguide and of a refractive index to bring any polarization states into degenerancy.

13. An optical microresonator according to claim 12 wherein said resonant elements are spaced apart to aid in bringing any polarization states into degenerancy.

14. An optical microresonator according to claim 12 wherein said microcylinder is formed from silicon optical fiber material and said coating has an index of refraction of about 1.5.

15. An optical microresonator according to claim 12 wherein said coating comprises a polymer material.

16. An optical microresonator according to claim 15 wherein said coating comprises a plastic material.

17. An optical microresonator according to claim 12 wherein said coating has a higher index of refraction than said microcylinder.

18. An optical microresonator according to claim 12 wherein said microcylinder has a diameter of about 8 to about 150 microns.

19. An optical microresonator according to claim 12 wherein said coating is about 0.5 micron thick.

20. An optical microresonator according to claim 12 wherein said spaced resonant elements are formed parallel to each other.

21. An optical microresonator according to claim 12 wherein said spaced resonant elements are formed in a spiral configuration.

22. An optical microresonator according to claim 12 wherein said spaced resonant elements are formed as circumferential ridges.