Researchers at NIST have developed a new hybrid optical microcavity device that significantly enhances light-matter interactions. The device combines the best features of two existing types of microcavities – microring resonators and photonic crystals – to create a microgear photonic crystal ring.
The new hybrid device can trap light in a tiny region for longer periods, support multiple frequencies simultaneously, and maintain a relatively simple design. This improved light-matter interaction is crucial for various applications in optical physics, including quantum computing, environmental sensing, and microfrequency comb construction.
The research is part of NIST’s on a Chip program and is supported by the DARPA SAVaNT program. The study was published in the January 2022 issue of Nature Photonics, with an online version posted in December 2021.
Keywords: photonic, microcavity, quantum, optical, microgear
