Seminar: Martin van Exter (Leiden University)

Fine structure in resonance spectra of optical micro cavities

M.P. van Exter, C. Koks
Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes laboratory, Leiden University, The Netherlands

Abstract— We show, both theoretically and experimentally, that the resonance spectra of optical cavities have a spectral fine structure, i.e. that resonances that are frequency degenerate according to paraxial optics are split by various non-paraxial corrections, including spin-orbit coupling. These corrections are analyzed experimentally and described theoretical with new mathematical tools that apply perturbation theory to Maxwell’s equations. The obtained physical insight can also be applied to describe mode formation in optical fibers and microwave cavities.