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Efficient free-space read-out of WGM lasers using circular micromirrors.
- Source :
-
Optics express [Opt Express] 2015 Jan 26; Vol. 23 (2), pp. 1025-34. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Lasing from whispering-gallery mode (WGM) resonators occurs omnidirectional in azimuthal plane. Most applications of WGM resonators require spectral analysis with off-chip detectors, where in-plane emission and beam divergence hinder efficient detection. We demonstrate redirecting WGM laser emission from all azimuthal angles using a circular micromirror placed around the cavity. By collecting reflections off the micromirror via free-space optics, read-out intensity improved by one order of magnitude. Blocking vertically emitted spontaneous emission and recording reflections off the micromirror only, signal-to-noise ratio improved from 4.6 dB to 15 dB. Our read-out concept may be applied to arbitrary WGM cavity geometries without deteriorating the cavity's quality factor.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1094-4087
- Volume :
- 23
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Optics express
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25835862
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.23.001025