Photonic technologies for angular velocity sensing
30 Sep 2010-Advances in Optics and Photonics (Optical Society of America)-Vol. 2, Iss: 3, pp 370-404
TL;DR: In this article, the role of integrated optics and photonic integrated circuit technology in the enhancement of gyroscope performance and compactness is broadly discussed, and the architecture of new slow-light integrated angular rate sensors is described.
Abstract: Photonics for angular rate sensing is a well-established research field having very
important industrial applications, especially in the field of strapdown inertial
navigation. Recent advances in this research field are reviewed. Results obtained in
the past years in the development of the ring laser gyroscope and the fiber optic
gyroscope are presented. The role of integrated optics and photonic integrated
circuit technology in the enhancement of gyroscope performance and compactness is
broadly discussed. Architectures of new slow-light integrated angular rate sensors
are described. Finally, photonic gyroscopes are compared with other solid-state
gyros, showing their strengths and weaknesses.
Citations
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TL;DR: A comprehensive overview of sensor technology exploiting optical whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonances by detailing the fundamental principles and theory of WGMs in optical microcavities and the transduction mechanisms frequently employed for sensing purposes.
Abstract: We present a comprehensive overview of sensor technology exploiting optical whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonances. After a short introduction we begin by detailing the fundamental principles and theory of WGMs in optical microcavities and the transduction mechanisms frequently employed for sensing purposes. Key recent theoretical contributions to the modeling and analysis of WGM systems are highlighted. Subsequently we review the state of the art of WGM sensors by outlining efforts made to date to improve current detection limits. Proposals in this vein are numerous and range, for example, from plasmonic enhancements and active cavities to hybrid optomechanical sensors, which are already working in the shot noise limited regime. In parallel to furthering WGM sensitivity, efforts to improve the time resolution are beginning to emerge. We therefore summarize the techniques being pursued in this vein. Ultimately WGM sensors aim for real-world applications, such as measurements of force and temperature, or alternatively gas and biosensing. Each such application is thus reviewed in turn, and important achievements are discussed. Finally, we adopt a more forward-looking perspective and discuss the outlook of WGM sensors within both a physical and biological context and consider how they may yet push the detection envelope further.
715 citations
Cites background from "Photonic technologies for angular v..."
...Reflow smoothing, which is commonly employed in the fabrication of toroidal resonators to reduce scattering losses from defects and etching artifacts [42], poses a number of challenges with regard to the fabrication of large resonators, as is desirable in WGM-based frequency comb generation and gyroscopes [43,44]....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors demonstrate a new resonator with a record Q-factor of 875 million for on-chip devices, which sets a new benchmark for the Q factor on a chip, and also provides full compatibility of this important device class with conventional semiconductor processing.
Abstract: Ultrahigh-Q optical resonators are being studied across a wide range of fields, including quantum information, nonlinear optics, cavity optomechanics and telecommunications. Here, we demonstrate a new resonator with a record Q-factor of 875 million for on-chip devices. The fabrication of our device avoids the requirement for a specialized processing step, which in microtoroid resonators8 has made it difficult to control their size and achieve millimetre- and centimetre-scale diameters. Attaining these sizes is important in applications such as microcombs and potentially also in rotation sensing. As an application of size control, stimulated Brillouin lasers incorporating our device are demonstrated. The resonators not only set a new benchmark for the Q-factor on a chip, but also provide, for the first time, full compatibility of this important device class with conventional semiconductor processing. This feature will greatly expand the range of possible ‘system on a chip’ functions enabled by ultrahigh-Q devices.
632 citations
TL;DR: Dai et al. as mentioned in this paper presented a novel concept for realizing a polarization splitter-rotator with a very simple fabrication process, which could allow large-scale photonic integrated circuits to be built on silicon substrates.
Abstract: Silicon-based large-scale photonic integrated circuits are becoming important, due to the need for higher complexity and lower cost for optical transmitters, receivers and optical buffers. In this paper, passive technologies for large-scale photonic integrated circuits are described, including polarization handling, light non-reciprocity and loss reduction. The design rule for polarization beam splitters based on asymmetrical directional couplers is summarized and several novel designs for ultra-short polarization beam splitters are reviewed. A novel concept for realizing a polarization splitter–rotator is presented with a very simple fabrication process. Realization of silicon-based light non-reciprocity devices (e.g., optical isolator), which is very important for transmitters to avoid sensitivity to reflections, is also demonstrated with the help of magneto-optical material by the bonding technology. Low-loss waveguides are another important technology for large-scale photonic integrated circuits. Ultra-low loss optical waveguides are achieved by designing a Si3N4 core with a very high aspect ratio. The loss is reduced further to <0.1 dB m−1 with an improved fabrication process incorporating a high-quality thermal oxide upper cladding by means of wafer bonding. With the developed ultra-low loss Si3N4 optical waveguides, some devices are also demonstrated, including ultra-high-Q ring resonators, low-loss arrayed-waveguide grating (de)multiplexers, and high-extinction-ratio polarizers. Newly developed photonic components could allow large-scale photonic integrated circuits to be built on silicon substrates. Daoxin Dai from Zhejiang University, China, alongside co-workers from the University of California, USA, have proposed several new optical technologies for use in photonic integrated circuits, which substitute or work alongside electrical circuits in optical devices. The researchers have designed new ultrashort polarization-handling devices that split high-intensity beams of light, and a ring optical isolator that reduces reflections. The team have also created a new waveguide based on silicon nitride that can guide optical waves with a minimal loss of energy. These new technologies will allow scientists to construct higher performance, more compact optical devices.
466 citations
TL;DR: An approach to make ultra-low-loss waveguides using stable and reproducible stoichiometric Si3N4 deposited with low-pressure chemical vapor deposition is characterized, projecting that 0.1 dB/m total propagation loss is achievable at a 7 mm bend radius with this approach.
Abstract: We characterize an approach to make ultra-low-loss waveguides using stable and reproducible stoichiometric Si3N4 deposited with low-pressure chemical vapor deposition. Using a high-aspect-ratio core geometry, record low losses of 8-9 dB/m for a 0.5 mm bend radius down to 3 dB/m for a 2 mm bend radius are measured with ring resonator and optical frequency domain reflectometry techniques. From a waveguide loss model that agrees well with experimental results, we project that 0.1 dB/m total propagation loss is achievable at a 7 mm bend radius with this approach.
389 citations
TL;DR: A wafer-bonded silica-on-silicon planar waveguide platform with record low total propagation loss is demonstrated and the group index, fiber-to-chip coupling loss, critical bend radius, and propagation loss of these waveguides are characterized.
Abstract: We demonstrate a wafer-bonded silica-on-silicon planar waveguide platform with record low total propagation loss of (0.045 ± 0.04) dB/m near the free space wavelength of 1580 nm. Using coherent optical frequency domain reflectometry, we characterize the group index, fiber-to-chip coupling loss, critical bend radius, and propagation loss of these waveguides.
366 citations
References
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TL;DR: The relations for the dispersion and the group velocity of the photonic band of the CROW's are obtained and it is found that they are solely characterized by coupling factor k(1) .
Abstract: We propose a new type of optical waveguide that consists of a sequence of coupled high- Q resonators. Unlike other types of optical waveguide, waveguiding in the coupled-resonator optical waveguide (CROW) is achieved through weak coupling between otherwise localized high- Q optical cavities. Employing a formalism similar to the tight-binding method in solid-state physics, we obtain the relations for the dispersion and the group velocity of the photonic band of the CROW's and find that they are solely characterized by coupling factor k 1 . We also demonstrate the possibility of highly efficient nonlinear optical frequency conversion and perfect transmission through bends in CROW's.
1,671 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that by restricting the geometry of the photonic crystal to two dimensions (in a waveguide configuration), structures with polarization-sensitive photonic band-gaps at still lower wavelengths (in the range 800-900 nm) can be readily fabricated.
Abstract: PHOTONIC crystals are artificial structures having a periodic dielectric structure designed to influence the behaviour of photons in much the same way that the crystal structure of a semiconductor affects the properties of electrons1. In particular, photonic crystals forbid propagation of photons having a certain range of energies (known as a photonic bandgap), a property that could be incorporated in the design of novel optoelectronic devices2. Following the demonstration of a material with a full photonic bandgap at microwave frequencies3, there has been considerable progress in the fabrication of three-dimensional photonic crystals with operational wavelengths as short as 1.5 μm (ref. 4), although the optical properties of such structures are still far from ideal5. Here we show that, by restricting the geometry of the photonic crystal to two dimensions (in a waveguide configuration), structures with polarization-sensitive photonic band-gaps at still lower wavelengths (in the range 800–900 nm) can be readily fabricated. Our approach should permit the straightfor-ward integration of photonic-bandgap structures with other optical and optoelectronic devices.
727 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain analysis of localized defect modes in an optically thin dielectric slab that is patterned with a two-dimensional array of air holes is presented.
Abstract: We present a three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain analysis of localized defect modes in an optically
thin dielectric slab that is patterned with a two-dimensional array of air holes. The symmetry, quality factor, and radiation pattern of the defect modes and their dependence on the slab thickness are investigated.
481 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the principles of operation of fiber-optic gyroscopes are reviewed along with methods to reduce their effect on the rotation-rate signal, and a direction of future research and possible applications are indicated.
Abstract: The principles of operation of fiber-optic gyroscopes are reviewed. Performance-limiting phenomena are discussed along with methods to reduce their effect on the rotation-rate signal. Current technology and performance of state-of-the-art systems are presented. Finally, a direction of future research and possible applications are indicated.
307 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a new method of measuring inertial rotation is presented based on the use of a passive ring resonator as the rotation sensing element and an external laser for measuring the difference between the clockwise and counterclockwise lengths of the resonator.
Abstract: A new method of measuring inertial rotation is presented. It is based on the use of a passive ring resonator as the rotation sensing element and an external laser for measuring the difference between the clockwise and counterclockwise lengths of the resonator. Preliminary performance data is included.
247 citations