title: Quality factor control in a lasing microcavity model
abstract: We consider a dynamics model of lasing microcavities, a class of optical resonators (1-10 &mgr;m in diameter) used in microlasers and for optical coupling of optical fibers. Inside such a cavity light circulates around the perimeter and is trapped by internal reflection. This is known as "whispering gallery" or high-Q modes. The cavity is a deformable cylindrical (or spherical) dielectric and at certain deformations light can escape by refraction. The quality of the resonator or Q factor, is defined as Q=omegatau, where tau is the escape time and omega is the frequency of light. We show that by appropriately deforming the cavity, the Q factor can be controlled by prolonging or shortening the average length of time spent by light trajectories inside the cavity.
authors.affiliation: Special Project in Nonlinear Science, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Code 6700.3, Plasma Physics Division, Washington, D.C. 20375-5000, USA.
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Triandaf
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Schwartz