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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: C. Martijn de Sterke
  • Vol. 17, Iss. 19 — Sep. 14, 2009
  • pp: 16465–16479
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Tuning of whispering gallery modes of spherical resonators using an external electric field

Tindaro Ioppolo, Ulas Ayaz, and M. Volkan Ötügen  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 17, Issue 19, pp. 16465-16479 (2009)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.17.016465


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Abstract

In this paper we investigate the electrostriction effect on the whispering gallery modes (WGM) of polymeric microspheres and the feasibility of a WGM-based microsensor for electric field measurement. The electrostriction is the elastic deformation (strain) of a dielectric material under the force exerted by an electrostatic field. The deformation is accompanied by mechanical stress which perturbs the refractive index distribution in the sphere. Both strain and stress induce a shift in the WGM of the microsphere. In the present, we develop analytical expressions for the WGM shift due to electrostriction for solid and thin-walled hollow microspheres. Our analysis indicates that detection of electric fields as small as ~500V/m may be possible using water filled, hollow solid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microspheres. The electric field sensitivities for solid spheres, on the other hand, are significantly smaller. Results of experiments carried out using solid PDMS spheres agree well with the analytical prediction.

© 2009 OSA

1. Introduction

Whispering gallery modes (WGM) of dielectric microspheres have attracted interest with proposed applications in a wide range of areas due to the high optical quality factors that they can exhibit. The WGM (also called the morphology dependent resonances MDR) are optical modes of dielectric cavities such as spheres. These modes can be excited, for example, by coupling light from a tunable laser into the sphere using an optical fiber. The modes are observed as sharp dips in the transmission spectrum at the output end of the fiber typically with very high quality factors, Q = λ/δλ (λ is the wavelength of the interrogating laser and δλ is the linewidth of the observed mode). The proposed WGM applications include those in spectroscopy [1

W. von Klitzing, “Tunable whispering modes for spectroscopy and CQED Experiments,” New J. Phys. 3, 14.1–14.14 (2001). [CrossRef]

], micro-cavity laser technology [2

M. Cai, O. Painter, K. J. Vahala, and P. C. Sercel, “Fiber-coupled microsphere laser,” Opt. Lett. 25(19), 1430–1432 (2000). [CrossRef]

], and optical communications (switching [3

H. C. Tapalian, J. P. Laine, and P. A. Lane, “Thermooptical switches using coated microsphere resonators,” IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 14(8), 1118–1120 (2002). [CrossRef]

] filtering [4

B. E. Little, S. T. Chu, H. A. Haus, J. Foresi, and J.-P. Laine, “Microring resonator channel dropping filters,” J. Lightwave Technol. 15(6), 998–1005 (1997). [CrossRef]

] and wavelength division and multiplexing [5

B. J. Offrein, R. Germann, F. Horst, H. W. M. Salemink, R. Beyeler, and G. L. Bona,Resonant coupler-based tunable add-after-drop filter in silicon-oxynitride technology for WDM networks,” IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 5(5), 1400–1406 (1999). [CrossRef]

]). For example, mechanical strain [6

V. S. Ilchenko, P. S. Volikov, V. L. Velichansky, F. Treussart, V. Lefevre-Seguin, J.-M. Raimond, and S. Haroche, “Strain tunable high-Q optical microsphere resonator,” Opt. Commun. 145(1-6), 86–90 (1998). [CrossRef]

] and thermooptical [3

H. C. Tapalian, J. P. Laine, and P. A. Lane, “Thermooptical switches using coated microsphere resonators,” IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 14(8), 1118–1120 (2002). [CrossRef]

] tuning of microsphere WGM have been demonstrated for potential applications in optical switching. Several sensor concepts have also been proposed exploiting the WGM shifts of microspheres for biological applications [7

F. Vollmer, D. Braun, A. Libchaber, M. Khoshsima, I. Teraoka, and S. Arnold, “Protein detection by optical shift of a resonant microcavity,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 80(21), 4057–4059 (2002). [CrossRef]

,8

S. Arnold, M. Khoshsima, I. Teraoka, S. Holler, and F. Vollmer, “Shift of whispering-gallery modes in microspheres by protein adsorption,” Opt. Lett. 28(4), 272–274 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

] trace gas detection [9

A. T. Rosenberger and J. P. Rezac, “Whispering-gallerymode evanescent-wave microsensor for trace-gas detection,” Proc. SPIE 4265, 102–112 (2001). [CrossRef]

], impurity detection in liquids [10

N. Das, T. Ioppolo, and V. Ötügen, “Investigation of a micro-optical concentration sensor concept based on whispering gallery mode resonators,” presented at the 45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibition, Reno, Nev., January 8–11 2007.

] as well as mechanical sensing including force [11

T. Ioppolo, M. Kozhevnikov, V. Stepaniuk, M. V. Otügen, and V. Sheverev, “Micro-optical force sensor concept based on whispering gallery mode resonators,” Appl. Opt. 47(16), 3009–3014 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

,12

T. Ioppolo, U. K. Ayaz, and M. V. Ötügen, “High-resolution force sensor based on morphology dependent optical resonances of polymeric spheres,” J. Appl. Phys. 105(1), 013535 (2009). [CrossRef]

], pressure [13

T. Ioppolo and M. V. Ötügen, ““Pressure Tuning of Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 24(10), 2721–2726 (2007). [CrossRef]

], temperature [14

G. Guan, S. Arnold, and M. V. Ötügen, “Temperature Measurements Using a Micro-Optical Sensor Based on Whispering Gallery Modes,” AIAA J. 44(10), 2385–2389 (2006). [CrossRef]

] and wall shear stress [15

T. Ioppolo, U. K. Ayaz, M. V. Ötügen, and V. Sheverev, “A Micro-Optical Wall Shear Stress Sensor Concept Based on Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators,” 46th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, 8–11 January 2008.

]. In this paper we investigate the effect of an electrostatic field on the WGM shifts of a polymeric microsphere. Such electrostriction-induced shifts could be exploited for WGM-based gas composition and electric field sensors. The concept of an electric field detector based on the WGM of a micro-disk was discussed recently [16

V. M. N. Passaro and F. De Leonardis, “Modeling and Design of a Novel High-Sensitivity Electric Field Silicon-on-Insulator Sensor Based on a Whispering-Gallery-Mode Resonator,” IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 12(1), 124–133 (2006). [CrossRef]

]. Potentially, the electrostatic field-driven micro-cavities could also be used as fast, narrowband optical switches and filters.

The simplest interpretation of the WGM phenomenon comes from geometric optics. When laser light is coupled into the sphere nearly tangentially, it circumnavigates along the interior surface of the sphere through total internal reflection. A resonance (WGM) is realized when light returns to its starting location in phase. A common method to excite WGMs of spheres is by coupling tunable laser light into the sphere via an optical fiber [5

B. J. Offrein, R. Germann, F. Horst, H. W. M. Salemink, R. Beyeler, and G. L. Bona,Resonant coupler-based tunable add-after-drop filter in silicon-oxynitride technology for WDM networks,” IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 5(5), 1400–1406 (1999). [CrossRef]

,10

N. Das, T. Ioppolo, and V. Ötügen, “Investigation of a micro-optical concentration sensor concept based on whispering gallery mode resonators,” presented at the 45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibition, Reno, Nev., January 8–11 2007.

]. The approximate condition for resonance is
2π n0a=lλ
(1)
where λ is the vacuum wavelength of laser, no and a are the refractive index and radius of sphere respectively, and l is an integer representing the circumferential mode number. Equation (1) is a first order approximation and holds for a >>λ. A minute change in the size or the refractive index of the microsphere will lead to a shift in the resonance wavelength as
dλλ= d n0 n0+ daa
(2)
Variation of the electrostatic field will cause changes both in the sphere radius (strain effect) and index of refraction (stress effect) leading to a WGM shift, as indicated in Eq. (2). In the following, we develop analytical expressions to describe the WGM shift of polymeric microspheres caused by an external electrostatic field. The analysis takes into account both the strain and stress effects.

2. Electrostatic Field-Induced Stress in a Solid Dielectric Sphere

We first consider an isotropic solid dielectric sphere of radius a and inductive capacity ε1 , embedded in an inviscid dielectric fluid of inductive capacity ε2 . The sphere is subjected to a uniform electric field E0 in the direction of negative z as shown in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 1 The sphere in the presence of electric field.

The force exerted by the electrostatic field on the sphere will induce an elastic deformation (electrostriction) that is governed by the Navier Equation [17

R. W. Soutas-Little, Elasticity , (Dover Publications Inc., Mineola, NY, 1999).

]:
2u+ 1 12νu+ fG=0
(3)
where u is the displacement of a given point within the dielectric sphere, ν, is the Poisson ratio, G is the shear modulus, and f is the body force. Neglecting gravitational effect, the body force is due to the electric field, and is given by [18

J. A. Stratton, Electromagnetic Theory (Mcgraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York and London, 1941).

]:
f= 12 E2 ε1 14 ( a1+ a2) E2
(4)
where Eis the electric field within the sphere, ε is the inductive capacity, a1 and a2 are coefficients that describe the dielectric properties. Physically, the parameter a1 represents the change of inductive capacity ε due to an elongation parallel to the lines of the field, while a2 determines this change for elongation in normal direction to the field. In this analysis, we assume that the electric and elastic properties of the microsphere in the unstrained configuration are isotropic. Therefore the first term on the right hand side of Eq. (4) is zero. The electric field inside the dielectric sphere is uniform and parallel to the z axis, with its magnitude [18

J. A. Stratton, Electromagnetic Theory (Mcgraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York and London, 1941).

]:
E= 3 ε2 ε1+2 ε2 E0
(5)
Therefore, the second term on the right hand side of Eq. (4) is also zero. Thus, Eq. (3) becomes:
2u+ 1 12νu=0
(6)
The solution of this equation in spherical coordinates is given by [14

G. Guan, S. Arnold, and M. V. Ötügen, “Temperature Measurements Using a Micro-Optical Sensor Based on Whispering Gallery Modes,” AIAA J. 44(10), 2385–2389 (2006). [CrossRef]

]:
ur= [ An ( n+1) ( n2+4ν) r n+1+ Bnn r n1] Pn ( cosϑ) uϑ= [ An ( n+1) ( n+54ν) r n+1+ Bnn r n1] d Pn ( cosϑ) dϑ}
(7)
where ur and uϑ are the components of displacement in the radial, r, and polar, ϑ directions. Pn’s represent the Legendre polynomials, and An and Bn are constants that are determined by satisfying the boundary conditions.

Using the stress displacement equations, the components of stress can be expressed as:
σ rr=2G [ An ( n+1) ( n2n22ν) rn+ Bnn ( n1) r n2] Pn ( cosϑ)
(8)
σ ϑϑ=2G { [ An ( n2+4n+2+2ν) ( n+1) rn+ Bn n2 r n2] Pn ( cosϑ)+ [ An ( n+54ν) rn+ Bn r n2]cot (ϑ) d Pn ( cosϑ) dϑ}
(9)
σ ϕϕ=2G { [ An ( n+1) ( n22ν4nν) rn+ Bnn r n2] Pn ( cosϑ)+ [ An ( n+54ν) rn+ Bn r n2]cotϑ d Pn ( cosϑ) dϑ}
(10)
σ rϑ=2G [ An ( n2+2n1+2ν) rn+ Bn ( n1) r n2] Pn ( cosϑ) ϑ
(11)
In an inviscid fluid, only normal (pressure) forces are acting on the sphere. The normal force per unit area acting on the interface of the two dielectrics (the sphere and its surrounding) is given by [18

J. A. Stratton, Electromagnetic Theory (Mcgraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York and London, 1941).

]
P= [ α E ( E n)]2+ [ α E ( E n)]1 [ β E2 n]2 [ β E2 n]1
(12)
where is the unit surface normal vector. The subscripts indicate that the values are to be taken on either side of the interface (1 represents the sphere and 2 represents the surrounding medium) The constants α and β are given as [18

J. A. Stratton, Electromagnetic Theory (Mcgraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York and London, 1941).

]:
α=ε+ a2 a12   ,       β= ε+ a22
(13)
For the case of a sphere embedded in a dielectric fluid, the constants a1 and a2 are defined by the Clausius-Mossotti law [15

T. Ioppolo, U. K. Ayaz, M. V. Ötügen, and V. Sheverev, “A Micro-Optical Wall Shear Stress Sensor Concept Based on Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators,” 46th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, 8–11 January 2008.

] leading to:
α=ε       ,       β= ε06 ( k22k2)
(14)
for the fluid (medium 2). Here, ε0 is the inductive capacity of vacuum, and k (k = ε/ε0 ) is the dielectric constant. Using Eq. (5) and Eq. (12) the pressure acting at the dielectric interface is given by:
P= ( A' B')Cos (ϑ)2+ B'
(15)
where A’ and B’ are defined as:
A'= ( 3 ε2 ε1+2 ε2 E0)2 [ ( ε1 ε2)2 ( α2 β2) α1+ β1]
(16)
B'= ( 3 ε2 ε1+2 ε2 E0)2 ( β1 β2)
(17)
Equation (15) represents the pressure acting on the sphere surface due to the inductive capacity discontinuity at the sphere-fluid interface. Apart from this, the electric field induces a pressure perturbation in the fluid as well. This is given by
P= ε06 E2( k21)( k2+2)
(18)
For gas media, k≈1, thus δP is negligible.

In order to define the stress and strain distributions within the sphere, coefficient An and Bn have to be evaluated. These coefficients are calculated by satisfying the following boundary conditions
σ rr (a)=P σ rϑ (a)=0
(19)
The coefficient An and Bn are determined by expanding the pressure P in terms of Legendre series as follows:
P= Zn Pn ( cosϑ)
(20)
From Eq. (15), it can be noted that only two terms of the series in Eq. (20) are needed to describe the pressure distribution, from which the coefficients Zn are defined as:
Zo= 13 ( A'+2 B')   ,    Z2= 23 ( A' B')
(21)
Plugging Eq. (8) and (11) and Eq. (20) and (21), into Eq. (19), the coefficients An and Bn are determinate as follows:
A0= ( A'+2 B') 12G ( 1+ν), A2= ( A' B') 6G a2 ( 5ν+7), B2= ( A' B') ( 2ν+7) 6G ( 5ν+7)
(22)
The radial deformation can be determined by using Eq. (7):

ur=2 A0 ( 2ν1)r+ ( 12 A2ν r3+2 B2r) 12 ( 3cos (ϑ)21)
(23)

3. WGM Shift in a Solid Sphere Due to Electrostriction

We can evaluate the last term in Eq. (2) (the relative change in the optical path length in the equatorial belt of the microsphere at r = a and ϑ = π/2) by plugging Eq. (22) into Eq. (23):
daa= ( 3 ε2 ε1+2 ε2 E0)2 { ( 12ν) 6G ( 1+ν) [ ( ( ε1 ε2)2 ( α2 β2) α1+3 β12 β2)]+ ( 4ν7) 3G ( 5ν+7) [ ( ε1 ε2)2 ( α2 β2)+ α1 β2]}
(24)
As we can see from the above expression, the radial deformation, da/a, has a quadratic dependence on the electric field strength.

Next we determine the effect of stress on refractive index perturbation, dn0/n0 , in Eq. (2). Here we neglect the effect of the electric field on the index of refraction of the microsphere. The Neumann-Maxwell equations provide a relationship between stress and refractive index as follows [19

F. Ay, A. Kocabas, C. Kocabas, A. Aydinli, and S. Agan, “Prism coupling technique investigation of elasto-optical properties of thin polymer films,” J. Appl. Phys. 96(12), 341–345 (2004). [CrossRef]

]:
nr= n or+C σ 1 rr+ C2 ( σ ϑϑ+ σ φφ) nϑ= n oϑ+C σ 1 ϑϑ+ C2 ( σ rr+ σ φφ) nφ= n oφ+C σ 1 φφ+ C2 ( σ ϑϑ+ σ rr)
(25)
Here nr, nϑ, nφ are the refractive indices in the direction of the three principle stresses and n 0r, n0 ϑ, n0 φ are those values for the unstressed material. Coefficients C1 and C2 are the elasto-optical constants of the material. In our analysis we consider PDMS microspheres that are manufactured as described in Ref [15

T. Ioppolo, U. K. Ayaz, M. V. Ötügen, and V. Sheverev, “A Micro-Optical Wall Shear Stress Sensor Concept Based on Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators,” 46th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, 8–11 January 2008.

]. For PDMS these values are C1 = C2 = C = −1.75x10−10 m2/N [20

J. E. Mark, Polymer Data Handbook (Oxford University Press, 1999).

]. Thus, for a spherical sensor, the fractional change in the refractive index due to mechanical stress is reduced to:
d no no= nr n or n or= nϑ n oϑ n oϑ= nr n oφ n oφ= C ( σ rr+ σ ϑϑ+ σ φφ)n
(26)
Thus, evaluating the appropriate expressions for stress in Eq. (8), 9, 10) at ϑ = π/2 and r = a, and introducing them into Eq. (26) the relative change in the refractive index can be obtained. In order to evaluate the WGM shift due to the applied electric field, the constants a1 and a2 must be evaluated. Very few reliable measurements of these constants for solids have been reported in the literature. Unfortunately, to our knowledge there are no experimental measurements of a1 and a2 for polymeric material including PDMS. In our analysis we take the values developed for an ideal polar rubber [21

T. Yamwong, A. M. Voice, and G. R. Davies, “Electrostrictive response of an ideal polar rubber,” J. Appl. Phys. 91(3), 1472–1476 (2002). [CrossRef]

]. In Fig. 2 , the strain (da/a) and stress (dn0/n0 ) effects on the WGM shifts due to an electric field are shown. The stress and strain have opposite effects on WGM shifts, but as seen in the figure, the strain effect dominates over that of stress and thus, the latter effect can be ignored in calculations. If we assume that the minimum measurable WGM shift is ∆λ = λ/Q, the measurement resolution is defined as δE= ( λ/Q) ( dλ/ dE) 1 . The results of Fig. 2 indicate that for a quality factor of Q~107 an electric field as small as ~20 kV/m can be resolved with a solid PDMS microsphere (polymeric base to curing agent ratio of 60:1 by volume).

Fig. 2 The WGM shift of a solid 1 mm diameter PDMS sphere due to applied electric field (base-to-curing-agent ratio of 60:1, a/λ = 381).

4. Electrostatic Field-Induced Stress in a Hollow Dielectric Sphere

In this section we consider a dielectric spherical shell of inductive capacity ε1 with inner radius a and outer radius b that is placed in a uniform dielectric fluid of inductive capacity ε2 as shown in Fig. 3 . The shell is filled with a fluid of inductive capacity ε3. As in the solid microsphere case, in order to determine the WGM shift, the strain distribution at the sphere outer surface must be known. In order to find this distribution the pressure acting at the surfaces, as well as the body force inside the shell has to be determined. In general, both the pressure and the body force are functions of the electric field distribution.

Fig. 3 Notation for a hollow dielectric sphere.

The electric field distribution in a dielectric is governed by Laplace's equation. The general solution of Laplace's equation in spherical coordinates (r,ϑ,ϕ) is given as:
Φ ( r,ϑ,ϕ)= i=0 ( Ai ri+ Bi r i1) Pi ( cosϑ)
(27)
where Ф is the potential function. From the above equation, the potential function in each medium can be written as:
Φ1=B ab ( ra)cosϑ+C ( ba) ( ar)2cosϑ Φ2= E0b ( rb)cosϑ+D ( br)2cosϑ Φ3=A ( ra)cosϑ
(28)
Constant A, B, C, D are determined by satisfying the boundary condition at each interface, which are defined as:
Φ3 (a)= Φ1 (a)      Φ1 (b)= Φ2 (b) ε3 Φ3 r|a= ε1 Φ1 r|a ε1 Φ1 r|b= ε2 Φ2 r|b
(29)
The coefficients are obtained by solving the following linear system
( α 12 α 12 α 13 α 14 α 21 α 22 α 23 α 24 α 31 α 32 α 33 α 34 α 41 α 42 α 43 α 44) ( A B C D)= ( γ1 γ2 γ3 γ4)
(30)
The matrix coefficient αij and γi are presented in Appendix A. The electric field distribution in each medium is obtained by
E=Φ
(31)
From the above equation each component of the electric field can be obtained, and are listed as follows:
E 1,r= [ B 1 ab+2C ( ab r3)]cosϑ        E 1,ϑ= [ B 1 ab+C ab r3]sinϑ E 2,r= [ 2D b2 r3+ E0]cosϑ            E 2,ϑ= [ D b2 r3 E0]sinϑ E 3,r= Aacosϑ                      E 3,ϑ= Aasinϑ
(32)
Where Er and Eϑ are the radial and polar component of the electric field in each medium. As done for the solid sphere the surface force acting at each interface can be written as
P= [ α E ( E n)]a+ [ α E ( E n)]b [ β E2]a [ β E2]b
(33)
where a and b represent the media on the two sides of the interface. Using Eq. (7) and Eq. (12) the pressure distributions at the inner and outer interface are given as follows:
P 1,3= ( ZY)cos (ϑ)2+Y P 1,2= ( KW)cos ϑ2+W
(34)
Where P1,3 is the pressure at the inner surface of the shell, while P1,2 is the pressure on the outer surface. The constant Z, Y, K and W are defined as:
Z= ( Aa)2 [ ( ε3 ε1)2 ( α1 β1) α3+ β3]   ,Y= ( Aa)2 ( β3 β1)
(35)
K= ( B 1 ab2C a b2)2 [ ( ε1 ε2)2 ( α2 β2) α1+ β1], W= ( B ab 1a+C a b2)2 ( β1 β2)
(36)
Note that these pressures are due to the inductive capacity discontinuity at the interface separating the media. If the hollow cavity is filled with a liquid (k>1), there will be an increment of the fluid pressure due to electrostriction. This change in pressure due to applied electric field is given by [18

J. A. Stratton, Electromagnetic Theory (Mcgraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York and London, 1941).

]:
P3= ε06 A2 a2( k31)( k3+2)
(37)
The effect of the body force inside the shell due to the applied electrostatic field can be calculated using Eq. (4). Considering an isotropic dielectric, the first term on the right hand side of Eq. (4) becomes zero. However, the electric field within the shell is not constant, hence, the second term on the right hand side of Eq. (4) is finite. Using the expression given by Eq. (33), we can find the body force (per unit volume) as:
f= 14( a1+ a2) { [ ( 18 C2 a2 b2 r7+ 18BC ab r4)Co s2 (ϑ) 6 C2 a2 b2 r7 6BC ab r4] r +Sin ( 2ϑ) ( 3 C2 a2 b2 r7 6BC ab r4) ϑ}
(38)
where the constants B, and C are constants determined from Eq. (28), For a thin walled shell, the body force along the radial direction is nearly constant. In Fig. 4 , the net surface pressure distribution along the polar direction (ϑ) is compared to the distribution of radial and polar body force per unit volume times the shell thickness, Bt.

Fig. 4 Pressure and body force distributions for a spherical PDMS shell (base-to-curing-agent ratio 60:1, a = 300 μm, a/λ = 288) due to applied electric field.

The figure shows that the effect of body force on hollow microspheres is several orders of magnitude smaller than the pressure force exerted on the sphere. Thus, we neglect the body force in the analysis. The components of the displacement in the radial direction is given by [22

A. E. H. Love, The Mathematical Theory of Elasticity (Dover, 1926).

]:
ur= [ An ( n+1) ( n2+4ν) R n+1+ Bnn R n1] Pn ( cosϑ)+ [ Cn Rn ( n2+3n2ν)+ Dn ( n+1) ( n+2) R n+2] Pn ( cosϑ)
(39)
whereas the corresponding stress components are:
σ rr=2G [ An ( n+1) ( n2n22ν) Rn+ Bnn ( n1) R n2] Pn ( cosϑ)+ [ Cnn R n+1 ( n2+3n2ν)+ Dn ( n+1) ( n+2) R n+3] Pn ( cosϑ)
(40)
σ ϑϑ=2G [ An ( n2+4n+2+2ν) ( n+1) rn+ Bn n2 r n2+ Cnn r n+1 ( n22n1+2ν) Dn ( n+1)2 r n+3] Pn ( cosϑ) [ An ( n+54ν) rn+ Bn r n2 Cn r n+1 ( n+44ν)+ Dn r n+3]cotϑ d Pn ( cosϑ) dϑ
(41)
σ φφ=2G [ An ( n+1) ( n22ν4nν) rn+ Bnn r n2+ Cnn r n+1 ( n+34nν2ν) Dn ( n+1) r n+3] Pn ( cosϑ) + [ An ( n+54ν) rn+ Bn r n2+ Cn r n+1 ( n+44ν)+ Dn r n+3]cotϑ d Pn ( cosϑ) dϑ
(42)
σ rϑ=2G [ An ( n2+2n1+2ν) Rn+ Bn ( n1) R n2] Pn ( cosϑ) ϑ+ [ Cn R n+1 ( n22+2ν) Dn ( n+2) R n+3] Pn ( cosϑ) ϑ
(43)
The constants An , Bn , Cn and Dn are determined by satisfying the boundary conditions. The boundary conditions are defined as follow:
σ rr (a)= P3 P 1,3        σ rr (b)= P 1,2 σ rϑ (a)=0            σ rϑ (b)=0
(44)
The pressure acting at the boundaries of the hollow sphere can be expanded into Fourier-Legendre series as
P 1,3= En Pn ( cosϑ)= ( ZY)cos (ϑ)2+Y P 1,2= Fn Pn ( cosϑ)= ( KW)cos (ϑ)2+W
(45)
Again, only two terms of the series are needed to represent the pressure on the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow sphere. These are:
E0= 13 ( Z+2Y)    F0= 13 ( K+2W) E2= 23 ( ZY)      F2= 23 ( KW)
(46)
Substituting Eq. (46) into Eq. (45) and then into Eq. (44) we obtained the constants of Eq. (39). They are determined by solving the following two linear systems
( β 11 β 12 β 13 β 14 β 21 β 22 β 23 β 24 β 31 β 32 β 33 β 34 β 41 β 42 β 43 β 44) ( A0 B0 C0 D0)= ( ϕ1 ϕ2 ϕ3 ϕ4)    ( δ 11 δ 12 δ 13 δ 14 δ 21 δ 22 δ 23 δ 24 δ 31 δ 32 δ 33 δ 34 δ 41 δ 42 δ 43 δ 44) ( A2 B2 C2 D2)= ( ρ1 ρ2 ρ3 ρ4)
(47)
The matrix coefficients βij, ϕi, δij, ρi j are presented in Appendix A. Once the constants An , Bn , Cn and Dn are known, the change in WGM due to strain (da/a) can be calculated by using Eq. (39). However, as discussed earlier, dn0/n0<<da/a, thus we neglect this effect on WGM shifts.

The WGM shifts at the equatorial belt (ϑ = π/2, r = b) of a hollow PDMS microsphere of 600µm diameter and b/a = 0.95 are shown in Fig. 5 . In this configuration, the PDMS shell is filled with and also surrounded by air (Note here that the stress effect is several orders of magnitude smaller than that of strain and hence, does not play a role in WGM shift). Comparing Fig. 5 to Fig. 2, we see that the effect of electric field on shape distortion of the spheres are opposite: The solid sphere becomes elongated in the direction of the static field. On the other hand, the hollow sphere elongates in the direction normal to the applied field.

Fig. 5 The WGM shifts of a hollow PDMS (60:1) sphere with the applied electric field due to strain effects (a/b = 0.95, b/λ = 381).

Next we look at the case where the fluid inside the sphere has a higher inductive capacity than that of the surrounding medium 32). For this, we consider the case of a thin spherical shell of PDMS that is filled with water (k = 80.1) and surrounded by air on the outside. Figure 6 illustrates the solution for this particular configuration. A comparison of Fig. 6 and 5 reveals that, filling the sphere with water increases the sensitivity significantly.

Fig. 6 The WGM shifts of a hollow PDMS (60:1) sphere filled with water (a/b = 0.95, b/λ = 381).

With a Q-factor of 107, the resolution of the sensor is estimated to be ~500 V/m. The next question we address is: Can such a sensor be used to detect contaminants in surrounding medium? Figure 7 illustrates this. Using the same configuration as before (spherical PDMS shell filled with water inside and surrounded by air), the electric field applied on the sphere is kept at 10k V/m and the refractive index of the outside medium is changed. The resulting WGM shift is given in Fig. 7. Again, with Q-factor of ~107, the sensor can detect changes in the refractive index of ~10−4 in a gas (at the wavelength λ = 1.312 μm) . Figure 7, when compared with the analysis of Ref [10

N. Das, T. Ioppolo, and V. Ötügen, “Investigation of a micro-optical concentration sensor concept based on whispering gallery mode resonators,” presented at the 45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibition, Reno, Nev., January 8–11 2007.

], indicates a resolution improvement of at least an order of magnitude when the electric field is applied to the micro-sphere. These results shows that a sensor could be developed for the detection of contaminants both in air and in liquids.

Fig. 7 WGM shifts of a hollow PDMS (60:1) sphere filled with water (a/b = 0.95, b/λ = 381) under constant electric field of 10kV/m. The WGM shifts obtained here are due to the change of refractive index of the surrounding medium.

5. Experiments

Electrostriction experiments were carried out using a solid PDMS microsphere (with base to curing agent ratio of 60:1). The diameter of the microspheres was ~900 μm and it was manufactured using the same procedure as in our earlier studies [12

T. Ioppolo, U. K. Ayaz, and M. V. Ötügen, “High-resolution force sensor based on morphology dependent optical resonances of polymeric spheres,” J. Appl. Phys. 105(1), 013535 (2009). [CrossRef]

]. The optical setup is similar to those reported in [11

T. Ioppolo, M. Kozhevnikov, V. Stepaniuk, M. V. Otügen, and V. Sheverev, “Micro-optical force sensor concept based on whispering gallery mode resonators,” Appl. Opt. 47(16), 3009–3014 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

,12

T. Ioppolo, U. K. Ayaz, and M. V. Ötügen, “High-resolution force sensor based on morphology dependent optical resonances of polymeric spheres,” J. Appl. Phys. 105(1), 013535 (2009). [CrossRef]

]. Briefly, the output of a distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode (with a nominal wavelength of ~1312 nm) is coupled into a single mode optical fiber. A section of the fiber is heated and stretched to facilitate optical coupling between the microsphere and the optical fiber. Stable coupling is achieved by bringing the tapered fiber in contact with the microsphere. The DFB laser is current-tuned over a range of ~0.1 nm using a laser controller while its temperature kept constant. The laser controller, in turn, is driven by a function generator which provides a saw tooth input to the controller. A schematic of the experimental arrangement is shown in Fig. 8 . The quality factor of the WGMs were observed to be Q~106 during the experiments.

Fig. 8 Experimental setup.

The PDMS microsphere is placed in between two square electrodes made of brass. The side and thickness of the electrodes are 25 mm and 0.25 mm, respectively. The gap between the two electrodes is 4.5 mm. The microsphere is held in place by a 125 µm diameter silica stem (that is fixed to the PDMS sphere during the curing process). The electrodes are connected to a dc voltage supply. As the voltage is gradually increased the, WGM shifts are recorded and analyzed on a personal computer.

The experimental results are shown in Fig. 9 along with the analytical expression of Eq. (24). As shown in the figure, the same experiment is repeated multiples times over a period of several hours. There is good agreement between the experimentally obtained WGM shifts of test 1 and those predicted by Eq. (24). Test 1 was carried out without first exposing the PDMS microsphere to an electric field for an extended period. The additional measurements were made after keeping the sphere exposed to a 200 kV/m electric field over progressively longer periods of time (two minutes, two hours and four hours for tests 2, 3 and 4, respectively).

Fig. 9 Experimental and analytical results for a solid PDMS (60: 1) microsphere.

These results show that the WGM shift dependence on the electric field becomes stronger after exposing the sphere to electric field. This effect is most likely due to the alignment of some of the dipoles in PDMS along the electric field. Such polarization behavior has been observed earlier in polymers [23

K. C. Kao, Dielectric Phenomena in Solids (Elsevier Academic Press, 2004).

]. With increased time, a larger number of dipoles are aligned with the electric field resulting in increased polarization of the microsphere. This in turn, leads to higher electrostatic pressure at the sphere surface and hence, increased WGM shift. Test 5 in Fig. 9 was carried out after the sphere was allowed to relax for 24 hours. Clearly, after this relaxation period, the polarization goes back to its initial level and the original WGM shift dependence on the electric field is recovered.

6. Conclusion

Electrostriction effect on the whispering gallery modes of polymeric microspheres was investigated analytically and validated experimentally. The analysis shows that the external electric field strength can be measured by monitoring the WGM shifts. Hollow PDMS spheres that are filled with air are less sensitive than their solid counterparts. However, when a hollow PDMS sphere is filled with a dielectric liquid, the sensitivity of its WGMs to electric field increases significantly. An analysis is also carried out to determine the WGM shift dependence on dielectric constant perturbations of the surrounding medium (with the dielectric shell subjected to constant electric field). The results indicate that a WGM-based sensor may be feasible for impurity detection in gases or liquids. Electrostatic field tuning of micro-resonator WGMs may also be exploited for fast, narrowband optical switches and filters.

Appendix

α 11= α 24=1, α 12= ab, α 13= ba, α 14= α 21= α 34=0, α 22= ba, α 23= ab, α 31= ε1 a ε2, α 32= 1 ab, α 33= 2b a2, α 43= 2ab, α 42= 1 ab, α 44= ε3 ε2 2b, γ1= γ3=0, γ2= E0b, γ4= ε3 ε2 E0
δ 11=6ν a2, δ 12= δ 22=2, δ 13= 2 a3 ( 102ν), δ 14= 12 a5, δ 21=6ν b2, δ 23= 2 b3 ( 102ν), δ 24= 12 b5, δ 31= ( 2ν+7) a2,    δ 32= δ 42=1, δ 33= 2 a3 ( 1+ν),    δ 34= 4 a5,    δ 41= ( 2ν+7) b2,     δ 43= 2 b3 ( 1+ν),    δ 44= 4 b5, ρ1= 1 3G ( ZY), ρ2= 1 3G ( KW), ρ3= ρ4=0
β 11= β 21=2 ( 1+ν), β 14= 2 a3, β 24= 2 b3, β 32= 1 a2, β 12= β 13= β 22= β 23=0 β 31= β 41=2v1, β 33= 2a ( ν1), β 34= 2 a3, β 42= 1 b2, β 43= 2b ( ν1),    β 44= 2 b3 ϕ1= ( Z+2Y) 6G ε06 A2a(k1)(k+2), ϕ2= ( K+2W) 6G, ϕ3= ϕ4=0

Acknowledgments

This research was support by the National Science Foundation (through grant CBET-0809240) and Department of Energy (through grant DE-FG02-08ER85099). We also acknowledge Ms. Kaley Marcis’ contribution in carrying out some of the numerical calculations.

References and links

1.

W. von Klitzing, “Tunable whispering modes for spectroscopy and CQED Experiments,” New J. Phys. 3, 14.1–14.14 (2001). [CrossRef]

2.

M. Cai, O. Painter, K. J. Vahala, and P. C. Sercel, “Fiber-coupled microsphere laser,” Opt. Lett. 25(19), 1430–1432 (2000). [CrossRef]

3.

H. C. Tapalian, J. P. Laine, and P. A. Lane, “Thermooptical switches using coated microsphere resonators,” IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 14(8), 1118–1120 (2002). [CrossRef]

4.

B. E. Little, S. T. Chu, H. A. Haus, J. Foresi, and J.-P. Laine, “Microring resonator channel dropping filters,” J. Lightwave Technol. 15(6), 998–1005 (1997). [CrossRef]

5.

B. J. Offrein, R. Germann, F. Horst, H. W. M. Salemink, R. Beyeler, and G. L. Bona,Resonant coupler-based tunable add-after-drop filter in silicon-oxynitride technology for WDM networks,” IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 5(5), 1400–1406 (1999). [CrossRef]

6.

V. S. Ilchenko, P. S. Volikov, V. L. Velichansky, F. Treussart, V. Lefevre-Seguin, J.-M. Raimond, and S. Haroche, “Strain tunable high-Q optical microsphere resonator,” Opt. Commun. 145(1-6), 86–90 (1998). [CrossRef]

7.

F. Vollmer, D. Braun, A. Libchaber, M. Khoshsima, I. Teraoka, and S. Arnold, “Protein detection by optical shift of a resonant microcavity,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 80(21), 4057–4059 (2002). [CrossRef]

8.

S. Arnold, M. Khoshsima, I. Teraoka, S. Holler, and F. Vollmer, “Shift of whispering-gallery modes in microspheres by protein adsorption,” Opt. Lett. 28(4), 272–274 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

9.

A. T. Rosenberger and J. P. Rezac, “Whispering-gallerymode evanescent-wave microsensor for trace-gas detection,” Proc. SPIE 4265, 102–112 (2001). [CrossRef]

10.

N. Das, T. Ioppolo, and V. Ötügen, “Investigation of a micro-optical concentration sensor concept based on whispering gallery mode resonators,” presented at the 45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibition, Reno, Nev., January 8–11 2007.

11.

T. Ioppolo, M. Kozhevnikov, V. Stepaniuk, M. V. Otügen, and V. Sheverev, “Micro-optical force sensor concept based on whispering gallery mode resonators,” Appl. Opt. 47(16), 3009–3014 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

12.

T. Ioppolo, U. K. Ayaz, and M. V. Ötügen, “High-resolution force sensor based on morphology dependent optical resonances of polymeric spheres,” J. Appl. Phys. 105(1), 013535 (2009). [CrossRef]

13.

T. Ioppolo and M. V. Ötügen, ““Pressure Tuning of Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 24(10), 2721–2726 (2007). [CrossRef]

14.

G. Guan, S. Arnold, and M. V. Ötügen, “Temperature Measurements Using a Micro-Optical Sensor Based on Whispering Gallery Modes,” AIAA J. 44(10), 2385–2389 (2006). [CrossRef]

15.

T. Ioppolo, U. K. Ayaz, M. V. Ötügen, and V. Sheverev, “A Micro-Optical Wall Shear Stress Sensor Concept Based on Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators,” 46th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, 8–11 January 2008.

16.

V. M. N. Passaro and F. De Leonardis, “Modeling and Design of a Novel High-Sensitivity Electric Field Silicon-on-Insulator Sensor Based on a Whispering-Gallery-Mode Resonator,” IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 12(1), 124–133 (2006). [CrossRef]

17.

R. W. Soutas-Little, Elasticity , (Dover Publications Inc., Mineola, NY, 1999).

18.

J. A. Stratton, Electromagnetic Theory (Mcgraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York and London, 1941).

19.

F. Ay, A. Kocabas, C. Kocabas, A. Aydinli, and S. Agan, “Prism coupling technique investigation of elasto-optical properties of thin polymer films,” J. Appl. Phys. 96(12), 341–345 (2004). [CrossRef]

20.

J. E. Mark, Polymer Data Handbook (Oxford University Press, 1999).

21.

T. Yamwong, A. M. Voice, and G. R. Davies, “Electrostrictive response of an ideal polar rubber,” J. Appl. Phys. 91(3), 1472–1476 (2002). [CrossRef]

22.

A. E. H. Love, The Mathematical Theory of Elasticity (Dover, 1926).

23.

K. C. Kao, Dielectric Phenomena in Solids (Elsevier Academic Press, 2004).

OCIS Codes
(040.0040) Detectors : Detectors
(060.0060) Fiber optics and optical communications : Fiber optics and optical communications
(080.0080) Geometric optics : Geometric optics
(230.0230) Optical devices : Optical devices

ToC Category:
Detectors

History
Original Manuscript: June 1, 2009
Revised Manuscript: July 17, 2009
Manuscript Accepted: July 31, 2009
Published: September 1, 2009

Citation
Tindaro Ioppolo, Ulas Ayaz, and M. Volkan Ötügen, "Tuning of whispering gallery modes of spherical resonators using an external electric field," Opt. Express 17, 16465-16479 (2009)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-17-19-16465


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References

  1. W. von Klitzing, “Tunable whispering modes for spectroscopy and CQED Experiments,” New J. Phys. 3, 14.1–14.14 (2001). [CrossRef]
  2. M. Cai, O. Painter, K. J. Vahala, and P. C. Sercel, “Fiber-coupled microsphere laser,” Opt. Lett. 25(19), 1430–1432 (2000). [CrossRef]
  3. H. C. Tapalian, J. P. Laine, and P. A. Lane, “Thermooptical switches using coated microsphere resonators,” IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 14(8), 1118–1120 (2002). [CrossRef]
  4. B. E. Little, S. T. Chu, H. A. Haus, J. Foresi, and J.-P. Laine, “Microring resonator channel dropping filters,” J. Lightwave Technol. 15(6), 998–1005 (1997). [CrossRef]
  5. B. J. Offrein, R. Germann, F. Horst, H. W. M. Salemink, R. Beyeler, and G. L. Bona,Resonant coupler-based tunable add-after-drop filter in silicon-oxynitride technology for WDM networks,” IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 5(5), 1400–1406 (1999). [CrossRef]
  6. V. S. Ilchenko, P. S. Volikov, V. L. Velichansky, F. Treussart, V. Lefevre-Seguin, J.-M. Raimond, and S. Haroche, “Strain tunable high-Q optical microsphere resonator,” Opt. Commun. 145(1-6), 86–90 (1998). [CrossRef]
  7. F. Vollmer, D. Braun, A. Libchaber, M. Khoshsima, I. Teraoka, and S. Arnold, “Protein detection by optical shift of a resonant microcavity,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 80(21), 4057–4059 (2002). [CrossRef]
  8. S. Arnold, M. Khoshsima, I. Teraoka, S. Holler, and F. Vollmer, “Shift of whispering-gallery modes in microspheres by protein adsorption,” Opt. Lett. 28(4), 272–274 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  9. A. T. Rosenberger and J. P. Rezac, “Whispering-gallerymode evanescent-wave microsensor for trace-gas detection,” Proc. SPIE 4265, 102–112 (2001). [CrossRef]
  10. N. Das, T. Ioppolo, and V. Ötügen, “Investigation of a micro-optical concentration sensor concept based on whispering gallery mode resonators,” presented at the 45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibition, Reno, Nev., January 8–11 2007.
  11. T. Ioppolo, M. Kozhevnikov, V. Stepaniuk, M. V. Otügen, and V. Sheverev, “Micro-optical force sensor concept based on whispering gallery mode resonators,” Appl. Opt. 47(16), 3009–3014 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  12. T. Ioppolo, U. K. Ayaz, and M. V. Ötügen, “High-resolution force sensor based on morphology dependent optical resonances of polymeric spheres,” J. Appl. Phys. 105(1), 013535 (2009). [CrossRef]
  13. T. Ioppolo and M. V. Ötügen, “Pressure Tuning of Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 24(10), 2721–2726 (2007). [CrossRef]
  14. G. Guan, S. Arnold, and M. V. Ötügen, “Temperature Measurements Using a Micro-Optical Sensor Based on Whispering Gallery Modes,” AIAA J. 44(10), 2385–2389 (2006). [CrossRef]
  15. T. Ioppolo, U. K. Ayaz, M. V. Ötügen, and V. Sheverev, “A Micro-Optical Wall Shear Stress Sensor Concept Based on Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators,” 46th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, 8–11 January 2008.
  16. V. M. N. Passaro and F. De Leonardis, “Modeling and Design of a Novel High-Sensitivity Electric Field Silicon-on-Insulator Sensor Based on a Whispering-Gallery-Mode Resonator,” IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 12(1), 124–133 (2006). [CrossRef]
  17. R. W. Soutas-Little, Elasticity, (Dover Publications Inc., Mineola, NY, 1999).
  18. J. A. Stratton, Electromagnetic Theory (Mcgraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York and London, 1941).
  19. F. Ay, A. Kocabas, C. Kocabas, A. Aydinli, and S. Agan, “Prism coupling technique investigation of elasto-optical properties of thin polymer films,” J. Appl. Phys. 96(12), 341–345 (2004). [CrossRef]
  20. J. E. Mark, Polymer Data Handbook (Oxford University Press, 1999).
  21. T. Yamwong, A. M. Voice, and G. R. Davies, “Electrostrictive response of an ideal polar rubber,” J. Appl. Phys. 91(3), 1472–1476 (2002). [CrossRef]
  22. A. E. H. Love, The Mathematical Theory of Elasticity (Dover, 1926).
  23. K. C. Kao, Dielectric Phenomena in Solids (Elsevier Academic Press, 2004).

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