Open AccessOptimization of resonant optical sensors
Author(s) -
M. Sumetsky
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.15.017449
Subject(s) - resonator , sensitivity (control systems) , optics , reflection (computer programming) , transmission (telecommunications) , physics , helical resonator , eigenvalues and eigenvectors , dielectric resonator antenna , refractive index , spectrum (functional analysis) , total internal reflection , optical cavity , telecommunications , computer science , electronic engineering , quantum mechanics , laser , programming language , engineering
The sensitivity of the resonant optical sensors, which are based on measurement of the transmission and reflection spectra of optical resonators, is investigated. The following problem is addressed: When the losses of the resonator are known, what is the sharpest possible and the steepest possible shape of the resonant peaks that can be achieved experimentally? This optimization problem is solved for the case of a separated peak, which corresponds to a nondegenerated eigenvalue of the resonator. It is shown that the reflection spectrum possesses better sensitivity than the transmission spectrum. The model of the resonant sensor consisting of two coupled resonators is also considered. This model demonstrates that the sensitivity of transmission spectrum can be significantly increased by modification of the resonator structure. However, for the reflection spectrum, the best sensitivity is still given by a separated resonant peak.