Kerr-nonlinearity optical parametric oscillation in an ultrahigh-Q toroid microcavity

Kerr-nonlinearity induced optical parametric oscillation in a microcavity is reported for the first time. Geometrical control of toroid microcavities enables a transition from stimulated Raman to optical parametric-oscillation regimes. Optical parametric oscillation is observed at record low threshold levels (174 micro-Watts of launched power) more than 2 orders of magnitude lower than for optical-fiber-based optical parametric oscillation. In addition to their microscopic size (typically tens of microns), these oscillators are wafer based, exhibit high conversion efficiency (36%), and are operating in a highly ideal "two photon" emission regime, with near-unity (0.97+/-0.03) idler-to-signal ratio.     

Highly efficient optical power transfer to whispering-gallery modes by use of a symmetrical dual-coupling configuration

We report that greater than 99.8% optical power transfer to whispering-gallery modes was achieved in fused-silica microspheres by use of a dual-tapered-fiber coupling method. The intrinsic cavity loss and the taper-to-sphere coupling coefficient are inferred from the experimental data. It is shown that the low intrinsic cavity loss and the symmetrical dual-coupling structure are crucial for obtaining the high coupling efficiency.     

Determination of eddy transport coefficients in thermo-lattice Boltzmann modeling of two-dimensional turbulence

Thermal Lattice Boltzmann (TLBE) techniques are used to consider the time evolution of free-decaying two dimensional (2D) turbulence induced by a double velocity shear layer. In particular, we consider the effect of this turbulence at a Reynolds number of 2555 on a strong temperature gradient. Since all structures are resolved on the 1024×1024 grid, the Smagorinsky model is employed to compute directly the eddy viscosity and eddy diffusivity. These transport coefficients play an integral part in large eddy simulations at very high Reynolds numbers where a direct simulation cannot resolve all excited scales. TLBE codes have the virtue of being readily extended to 3D, can readily handle nonperiodic geometries, and are ideally suited for multi-parallel computer architectures.This work was supported by a joint US-Czech DoE Grant #93066. Computations were performed under the auspices of the SPP (Special Parallel Processing) on the C90 at NERSC.     

Semiconductor lasers and fiber lasers for fiber-optic telecommunications

Be performance characteristics of semiconductor lasers for fiber telecommunication systems will be reviewed. Modulation speed, intensity noise, singlefrequency line width, and tunability are addressed. In addition, recent results concerning the same characteristics in single-frequency, tunable, fiber lasers are reviewed and compared with the semiconductor laser.     

Effect of Fourier transform on the streaming in quantum lattice gas algorithms

All our previous quantum lattice gas algorithms for nonlinear physics have approximated the kinetic energy operator by streaming sequences to neighboring lattice sites. Here, the kinetic energy can be treated to all orders by Fourier transforming the kinetic energy operator with interlaced Dirac-based unitary collision operators. Benchmarking against exact solutions for the 1D nonlinear Schrodinger equation shows an extended range of parameters (soliton speeds and amplitudes) over the Dirac-based near-lattice-site streaming quantum algorithm.     

Replica-molded high-Q polymer microresonators

Ultrahigh-Q microtoroids on a chip are applied as replication masters to demonstrate replica-molded high-Q microresonator arrays. Replica Q factors are nearly material loss limited, affirming the integrity of the replication process, and are as high as 5 x 10(6), or nearly a factor of 40 greater than previous polymer-based devices. Because the molding process is nondestructive, both the master and the molds can be reused. Additionally, by using a novel optical polymer (Vicast), we demonstrate storage of high-Q microresonators in the mold for weeks, providing a method to preserve the whispering-gallery Q factor.     

Ultralow-threshold microcavity Raman laser on a microelectronic chip

Using ultrahigh-Q toroid microcavities on a chip, we demonstrate a monolithic microcavity Raman laser. Cavity photon lifetimes in excess of 100 ns combined with mode volumes typically of less than 1000 (microm)3 significantly reduce the threshold for stimulated Raman scattering. In conjunction with the high ideality of a tapered optical fiber coupling junction, stimulated Raman lasing is observed at an ultralow threshold (as low as 74 microW of fiber-launched power at 1550 nm) with high efficiency (up to 45% at the critical coupling point) in good agreement with theoretical modeling. Equally important, the wafer-scale nature of these devices should permit integration with other photonic, mechanical, or electrical functionality on a chip.     

Compact,fiber-compatible,cascaded Raman laser

Cascaded Raman Stokes lasing in an ultrahigh-Q silica microsphere resonator coupled to a tapered fiber is demonstrated and analyzed. With less than 900 microW of pump power near 980 nm, five cascaded Stokes lasing lines are generated. In addition, a threshold power of 56.4 microW for the first-order Stokes lasing is achieved. The Stokes lasing lines exhibit distinct characteristics depending on their order, as predicted by theoretical analysis.     

A study of the use of Overhauser enhancement to assist with needle and catheter placement during interventional MRI

The practicability of using Overhauser enhancement of saline in interventional MRI was investigated. Saline was used as a means of marking the path taken by a fluid-filled cavity, similar to that formed by a needle, catheter, or cannula during interventional MRI procedures. A prototype device was designed and constructed for saturation and propulsion of 0.6 ml of doped liquid. The pertinent Overhauser parameters, such as the obtainable enhancement factor, were measured. Signal enhancement in excess of 10 was demonstrated in practice by acquiring images showing an enhancement of fluid in a catheter tube.