Cavity enhanced optical processes in microsphere resonators [Elektronische Ressource] / von Andrea Mazzei

Cavity enhanced optical processes inmicrosphere resonatorsDISSERTATIONzur Erlangung des akademischen Gradesdoctor rerum naturalium(Dr. rer. nat.)im Fach Physikeingereicht an derMathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät IHumboldt-Universität zu BerlinvonHerr Dipl.-Phys. Andrea Mazzeigeboren am 24.03.1978 in Pescia (PT) - ItalienPräsident der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin:Prof. Dr. Christoph MarkschiesDekan der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät I:Prof. Dr. Christian LimbergGutachter:1. Prof. Dr. Oliver Benson2. Prof. Dr. Vahid Sandoghdar3. Prof. Dr. Thomas Elsässereingereicht am: 10. Februar 2007Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 19. April 2007AbstractOptical microcavities play an important role in a manifold of optical pro-cesses, ranging from Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) to photonicsand sensing. A very efficient way to trap light is by means of total internalreflection inside a rotational symmetric geometry.This work presents an extensive study of the physical properties of silicamicrosphere resonators. Microspheres with diameters ranging from 30 to100μm have been produced. These resonators support so called whispering-9gallery modes. These modes feature Q-factors as high as 10 , corresponding6to a finesse of 3× 10 for spheres with a diameter of about 80 μm. Theseare to date among the highest available Q-factors, leading to cavity lifetimesof up to fewμs.