Extinction ratio and resonant wavelength tuning using three dimensions of silica microresonators

In this paper, a multidimensional tuning method of the silica microcapillary resonator(MCR) is proposed and demonstrated whereby the extinction ratio(ER) as well as the resonant wavelength can be individually controlled.An ER tuning range of up to 17 d B and a maximum tuning sensitivity of 0.3 d B/μm are realized due to the tapered profile of the silica optical microfiber(MF) when the MF is adjusted along its axial direction. Compared to direct tuning of the coupling gap, this method could lower the requirement for the resolution of displacement stage to micrometers. When the MF is adjusted along the axial direction of the silica microcapillary, a resonance shift of 3.06 nm and maximum tuning sensitivity of 0.01 nm/μm are achieved. This method avoids the use of an applied external field to control the silica microresonators. Moreover, when air is replaced by ethanol and water in the core of the silica microcapillary, a maximum resonance shift of 5.22 nm is also achieved to further enlarge the resonance tuning range. Finally, a microbubble resonator with a higher Q factor is also fabricated to achieve an ER tuning range of 8.5 d B. Our method fully takes advantage of the unique structure of the MCR to separately and easily tune its key parameters, and may broaden its applications in optical signal processing and sensing.