title: Modal coupling in traveling-wave resonators.
abstract: High-Q traveling-wave-resonators can enter a regime in which even minute scattering amplitudes associated with either bulk or surface imperfections can drive the system into the so-called strong modal coupling regime. Resonators that enter this regime have their coupling properties radically altered and can mimic a narrowband reflector. We experimentally confirm recently predicted deviations from criticality in such strongly coupled systems. Observations of resonators that had Q>10(8) and modal coupling parameters as large as 30 were shown to reflect more than 94% of an incoming optical signal within a narrow bandwidth of 40 MHz.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kippenberg
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Spillane
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Vahala