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We study theoretically and demonstrate experimentally generation of coherent optical frequency combs in a sapphire whispering gallery mode resonator. We verify phase locking of the comb harmonics by demodulating the comb on a fast photodiode and by observing the production of a spectrally pure radio frequency signal. Because of excellent optical and superior mechanical properties of the material, the sapphire resonator is an excellent candidate for the on-chip device integration of the comb oscillator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze theoretically both the fundamental and the technical quantum limitations of the sensitivity of a passive resonant optical gyroscope based on a high finesse monolithic optical microcavity. We show that the quantum back action associated with the resonantly enhanced optical cross- and self-phase modulation results in the standard quantum limit of the angle random walk of the gyroscope, which reaches approximately 0.2 deg/hr 1/2 for a millimeter scale CaF 2 whispering gallery mode resonator based device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the study of widely tunable, resonant single-sideband electro-optical modulators based on whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators, made out of electro-optically active materials. The modulation process involves interaction of different WGM families with an externally applied microwave field. The tunability results from the unequal response of the mode families to either a temperature change or to an applied voltage. We show that the modulator can be used as an efficient microwave photonic receiver that operates either in direct or coherent regime. Due to its resonant nature, the high-Q electro-optical modulator also can be used as a resolution booster for a low-resolution RF spectrum analyzer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: We report on a study of optical properties of whispering gallery mode resonators made out of as-grown nominally pure lithium niobate crystals. We have observed a surprising dynamic modification of the spectrum of the resonators illuminated with the near infrared light. We attribute this effect to the photorefractive damage of the resonator host material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report on the fabrication technique of ultra high Q optical crystalline whispering gallery mode microresonators and discuss their properties. The technique is suitable for the majority of available optical crystals and for production of resonators with small size. To validate the method, we made CaF2 resonators with Q factors exceeding 4×108 and a diameter smaller than 100μm. A single mode resonator has also been fabricated. Possible utilization of these new resonators in quantum optics is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report on the study of near-infrared photorefractivity in highly Mg doped as-grown congruent LiNbO3 forming a whispering gallery mode resonator. The resonator is pumped with 780 nm light. We have observed a change of the ordinary index of refraction of the material exceeding 8×10-5. We show that the basic features of the photorefraction in this type of crystal is different from the photorefraction in nominally pure as-grown congruent LiNbO3 and explain the origin of this difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]