Perturbative analytic theory of an ultrahigh-Q toroidal microcavity

Abstract

A perturbation theoretic approach is proposed as an efficient characterization tool for a tapered fiber coupled ultrahigh-quality factor (Q) toroidal microcavity with a small inverse aspect ratio. The Helmholtz equation with an assumption of quasi-TE/TM modes in local toroidal coordinates is solved via a power series expansion in terms of the inverse aspect ratio and the expanded eigenmode solutions are further manipulated iteratively to generate various characteristic metrics of the ultrahigh-Q toroidal microcavity coupled to a tapered fiber waveguide. Resonance wavelengths, free spectral ranges, cavity mode volumes, phase-matching conditions, and radiative Q factors are derived along with a mode characterization given by a characteristic equation. Calculated results are in excellent agreement with full vectorial finite-element simulations. The results are useful as a shortcut to avoid full numerical simulation, and also render intuitive insight into the modal properties of toroidal microcavities.