Abstract: Photonic accelerometers and systems containing the same are described herein. In one aspect, a photonic accelerometer includes: a resonator; a waveguide evanescently coupled to the resonator; a cantilever supporting the resonator, the cantilever including: (i) a first end fixed to a base, and (ii) a second, free end; and a proof mass supported by the free end of the cantilever. The resonator can be configured to store resonant photons in a mode at a resonant frequency. The waveguide can be configured to guide photons proximate the resonator to coupled resonant photons into the mode. The proof mass can be configured to deflect the cantilever based on motion of the base, where deflections of the cantilever cause shifts of the resonant frequency.

Abstract: An optical motion sensor includes a substrate, a whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator disposed on the substrate, a mass-spring-damper system disposed on the substrate proximate to a first side of the whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator, and a waveguide or optical fiber. The whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator has a substantially circular cross-section. A gap separates an end of the mass-spring-damper system from the whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator. The waveguide or optical fiber abuts a second side of the whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator that is substantially opposite to the first side.

Abstract: An optical motion sensor includes a substrate, a whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator disposed on the substrate, a mass-spring-damper system disposed on the substrate proximate to a first side of the whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator, and a waveguide or optical fiber. The whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator has a substantially circular cross-section. A gap separates an end of the mass-spring-damper system from the whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator. The waveguide or optical fiber abuts a second side of the whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator that is substantially opposite to the first side.

Abstract: A whispering-gallery-mode-based seismometer provides for receiving laser light into an optical fiber, operatively coupling the laser light from the optical fiber into a whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator, operatively coupling a spring of a spring-mass assembly to a housing structure; and locating the whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator between the spring-mass assembly and the housing structure so as to provide for compressing the whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator between the spring-mass assembly and the housing structure responsive to a dynamic compression force from the spring-mass assembly responsive to a motion of the housing structure relative to an inertial frame of reference.

Abstract: A novel micro-optical electric field sensor exploits morphology-dependent shifts of the optical modes of dielectric cavities to measure temporally- and spatially-resolved of electric field with extremely high sensitivity. The measurement principle is based on the electrostriction effect on the optical modes of dielectric micro-resonators (or micro-cavities) and exploits recent developments in optical fiber and switching technologies. The optical modes are commonly referred to as “whispering gallery modes” (WGM) or “morphology dependent resonances” (MDR). By monitoring the WGM shifts, the electric field causing the electrostriction effect can be determined. Different sensitivities and measurement ranges (maximum measured electric field) can be obtained by using different cavity geometries (for example solid or hollow spheres), polymeric materials (PMMA, PDMS, etc) as well as poling the dielectric material.

Abstract: A whispering-gallery-mode-based seismometer provides for receiving laser light into an optical fiber, operatively coupling the laser light from the optical fiber into a whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator, operatively coupling a spring of a spring-mass assembly to a housing structure; and locating the whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator between the spring-mass assembly and the housing structure so as to provide for compressing the whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator between the spring-mass assembly and the housing structure responsive to a dynamic compression force from the spring-mass assembly responsive to a motion of the housing structure relative to an inertial frame of reference.

Abstract: A novel micro-optical electric field sensor exploits morphology-dependent shifts of the optical modes of dielectric cavities to measure temporally- and spatially-resolved of electric field with extremely high sensitivity. The measurement principle is based on the electrostriction effect on the optical modes of dielectric micro-resonators (or micro-cavities) and exploits recent developments in optical fiber and switching technologies. The optical modes are commonly referred to as “whispering gallery modes” (WGM) or “morphology dependent resonances” (MDR). By monitoring the WGM shifts, the electric field causing the electrostriction effect can be determined. Different sensitivities and measurement ranges (maximum measured electric field) can be obtained by using different cavity geometries (for example solid or hollow spheres), polymeric materials (PMMA, PDMS, etc) as well as poling the dielectric material.

Abstract: Stresses and strains on a solid surface subject to a fluid flow are dynamically measured based on a shift of optical resonances of a micro-resonator. The elastic deformation and refractive index change of a micro-resonator due to mechanical stress is exploited. With this approach, mechanical deformations in the order of a nanometer can be detected and related to shear stress.

Abstract: Stresses and strains on a solid surface subject to a fluid flow are dynamically measured based on a shift of optical resonances of a micro-resonator. The elastic deformation and refractive index change of a micro-resonator due to mechanical stress is exploited. With this approach, mechanical deformations in the order of a nanometer can be detected and related to shear stress.

Abstract: A method of tagging and detecting objects is disclosed which comprises the steps of: (a) applying a volatile taggant to the object; and (b) subsequently detecting the presence of the taggant by the absorption, transmittance, reflectance, photon emission or fluorescence of the taggant and therefore a proximity of the tagged object. The present invention therefore provides optical sensing means which do not require physical separation of differing compounds for discrimination thereof.