Ultrasensitive Surface Spectroscopy with a Miniature Optical Resonator

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.83.3093· OSTI ID:686906

Pipino, A C ^[1]

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1. Process Measurements Division, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8363 (United States)

The number density and orientation of molecules at the surface of a total-internal-reflection-ring minicavity are probed with extremely high sensitivity in a novel realization of the cavity ring-down optical absorption experiment. The modes of the ultralow-loss cavity, which are excited by photon tunneling, have long lifetimes that are sensitive to the presence of absorbing species in the evanescent field near a cavity facet. The total-internal-reflection-ring cavity extends cavity ring-down spectroscopy to surfaces and condensed matter, permitting a wide range of novel fundamental studies and applications. Routine single molecule detection may ultimately be feasible. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society }

• OSTI ID: 686906
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 15 Vol. 83; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
CAVITIES
CAVITY RESONATORS
SPECTROSCOPY
SURFACE PROPERTIES