Semiconductor microspheres in optoelectronics

Abstract

Semiconductor microspheres coupled to optical fibers are used for optical channel dropping in the IR communication wavelenghts of 800 to 1500 nm. The observed morphology dependent resonances have quality factors of 100000. The measured quality factors are limited by the sensitivity of the experimental setup. These optical resonances provide the necessary narrow linewidths, that are needed for high resolution optical communication applications. In addition to optical communication, detection, and switching applications of this optoelectronic system is studied experimentally and theoretically. The microsphere, optical fiber system shows promise as a building block for optoelectronic integration.