Light modulation in whispering-gallery-mode resonators
First Claim
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1. A method for modulating light, comprising:
- coupling an optical beam into a whispering gallery mode optical resonator to circulate in at least one whispering gallery mode supported by the resonator, wherein the optical resonator is made of an electro-optic material;
coupling an electrical signal into the optical resonator. to circulate in the same optical path of the coupled optical beam so as to change a dielectric constant of the electro-optic material in the optical path of the optical beam within the optical resonator; and
modulating the electrical signal to modulate an optical output coupled from the optical resonator.
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Abstract
Techniques and devices to modulate light by using a whispering gallery mode optical resonator exhibiting an electro-optic effect. An electrical signal is coupled into the optical resonator to change a dielectric constant of optical resonator and thus to modulate the optical output from the optical resonator.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for modulating light, comprising:
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coupling an optical beam into a whispering gallery mode optical resonator to circulate in at least one whispering gallery mode supported by the resonator, wherein the optical resonator is made of an electro-optic material;
coupling an electrical signal into the optical resonator. to circulate in the same optical path of the coupled optical beam so as to change a dielectric constant of the electro-optic material in the optical path of the optical beam within the optical resonator; and
modulating the electrical signal to modulate an optical output coupled from the optical resonator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A device, comprising:
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an optical resonator to support whispering gallery modes and formed of an electro-optic material;
an input optical coupler positioned to couple an input optical beam to circulate in said optical resonator in one whispering gallery mode;
an output optical coupler positioned to couple optical energy in said optical resonator to produce an optical output; and
an electrical coupler positioned to couple an electrical signal to co-propagate in an optical path of the circulating optical beam within said optical resonator to change a dielectric constant of said electro-optic material so as to modulate said optical output. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 28)
a first electrode formed on said first surface; and
a second electrode formed on said second surface, wherein said first and said second electrodes and said optical resonator form an electrical signal resonator.
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12. The device as in claim 11, wherein said first electrode includes a circular strip line.
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13. The device as in claim 12, wherein said first electrode includes another circular strip line.
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14. The device as in claim 10, wherein the electro-optic material has an optic axis that is substantially perpendicular to the equator of the sphere.
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15. The device as in claim 10, wherein the electro-optic material has an optic axis that forms an angle with an axis substantially perpendicular to the equator of the sphere.
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16. The device as in claim 9, wherein said electro-optic material includes an electrooptic crystal.
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17. The device as in claim 9, wherein said electro-optic material includes a multiple quantum well structure.
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18. The device as in claim 9, wherein at least one of said first and said second optical couplers includes a prism with an index of refraction greater than an index of refraction of said electro-optic material.
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19. The device as in claim 9, wherein at least one of said first and said second optical couplers includes an angle-polished waveguide or fiber.
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28. The device as in claim 16, wherein said electrooptic crystal includes lithium niobate.
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20. A method, comprising:
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coupling both an electrical signal and an optical signal into a whispering gallery mode of an optical resonator to co-propagate along the same signal path within the optical resonator which is formed of an electro-optic material;
modulating the electrical signal to modulate an index of refraction experienced by the co-propagating optical signal to modulate the co-propagating optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A device, comprising:
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an optical resonator configured to support whispering gallery modes and formed of an electro-optic material;
an input optical coupler positioned to evanescently couple an input optical beam into a whispering gallery mode of said optical resonator;
an output optical coupler positioned to evanescently couple optical energy in said whispering gallery mode out said optical resonator to produce an optical output; and
an electrical coupler positioned to couple a modulated electrical signal into said optical resonator to be in said whispering gallery mode to co-propagate with said optical energy within said optical resonator to change a dielectric constant of said electro-optic material so as to modulate said optical output. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification