On-chip optical reference cavity exhibiting reduced resonance center frequency fluctuations

摘要

An optical apparatus comprises a waveguide substrate and an optical reference cavity. The optical reference cavity comprises an optical waveguide formed on the waveguide substrate and arranged to form a closed loop greater than or about equal to 10 cm in length. The RMS resonance frequency fluctuation is less than or about equal to 100 Hz. The Q-factor can be greater than or about equal to 108. The optical waveguide can exhibit optical loss less than or about equal to 0.2 dB/m for propagation of an optical signal along the optical waveguide. The closed loop path can comprise two or more linked spirals greater than or about equal to 1 meter in length and can occupy an area on the waveguide substrate less than or about equal to 5 cm2.

主权项

1. An optical apparatus comprising:
(a) a waveguide substrate; and (b) an optical reference cavity that (i) exhibits multiple resonance frequencies over an operational wavelength range and (ii) can be characterized over the operational wavelength range by a Q-factor and a RMS resonance frequency fluctuation, wherein: (c) the optical reference cavity comprises an optical waveguide formed on the waveguide substrate and arranged to form a closed loop greater than or about equal to 10 cm in length; and (d) the RMS resonance frequency fluctuation is less than or about equal to 100 Hz.