Observations of interior whispering gallery modes in asymmetric optical resonators with rational caustics
29 October 2007
We propose asymmetric resonant cavities with rational caustics and experimentally demonstrate interior whispering gallery modes in monolithic silicon mesoscopic microcavities. These microcavities demonstrate unique robustness of cavity quality factor against roughness Rayleigh scattering. Distinct resonant families and directional radiation from interior whispering gallery modes are observed experimentally using angle-resolved tapered fiber measurements and near-field images, which can be used for microcavity laser and cavity quantum electrodynamics applications. (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.