arXiv subjects

Jonathan M Ward

Publications and source records attributed to Jonathan M Ward.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

Raman Laser Switching Induced by Cascaded Light Scattering

We show that, in multimode Raman lasers, cascaded light scattering (CLS) not only extends the optical frequency range, but could also modulate the laser dynamics. The origin of this phenomenon is based on the fact that many Raman lasing modes are directly correlated through CLS. The coupled-mode equations only describe single-mode cascaded Raman lasers and are insufficient for describing the multimode case. In this work, we introduce additional terms to account for intermodal interaction and, thence, reveal the physical mechanism behind the mode-switching phenomenon. Additionally, mode-switching controlled solely by a single-mode pump in whispering gallery mode (WGM) silica Raman lasers is demonstrated. As the intracavity pump power is increased, laser switching happens between two adjacent WGMs in the same mode family.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

A high-Q, ultrathin-walled microbubble resonator for aerostatic pressure sensing

Sensors based on whispering gallery resonators have minute footprints and can push achievable sensitivities and resolutions to their limits. Here, we use a microbubble resonator, with a wall thickness of 500 nm and an intrinsic Q-factor of $10^7$ in the telecommunications C-band, to investigate aerostatic pressure sensing via stress and strain of the material. The microbubble is made using two counter-propagating CO$_2$ laser beams focused onto a microcapillary. The measured sensitivity is 19 GHz/bar at 1.55 $μ$m. We show that this can be further improved to 38 GHz/bar when tested at the 780 nm wavelength range. In this case, the resolution for pressure sensing can reach 0.17 mbar with a Q-factor higher than $5\times10^7$.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Optomechanical Transduction and Characterization of a Silica Microsphere Pendulum via Evanescent Light

Dissipative optomechanics has some advantages in cooling compared to the conventional dispersion dominated systems. Here, we study the optical response of a cantilever-like, silica, microsphere pendulum, evanescently coupled to a fiber taper. In a whispering gallery mode resonator the cavity mode and motion of the pendulum result in both dispersive and dissipative optomechanical interactions. This unique mechanism leads to an experimentally observable, asymmetric response function of the transduction spectrum which can be explained using coupled-mode theory. The optomechanical transduction, and its relationship to the external coupling gap, are investigated and we show that the experimental behavior is in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. A deep understanding of this mechanism is necessary to explore trapping and cooling in dissipative optomechanical systems.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

TeraHz tuning of whispering gallery modes in a PDMS, stand-alone, stretchable microsphere

We report on tuning the optical whispering gallery modes in a poly dimethyl siloxane-based (PDMS) microsphere resonator by more than a THz. The PDMS microsphere system consists of a solid spherical resonator directly formed with double stems on either side. The stems act like tie-rods for simple mechanical stretching of the microresonator over tens of microns, resulting in tuning of the whispering gallery modes by one free spectral range. Further investigations demonstrate that the whispering gallery mode shift has a higher sensitivity (0.13 nm/μN) to an applied force when the resonator is in its maximally stretched state compared to its relaxed state.

physics.optics↗