Colloquium: Dr. Erol Ozgur, University of Arizona

Optical microresonators constitute one of the most exciting manifestations of the wave nature of light. They are micron-sized structures that can confine photons within for extended periods. Light energy accumulated in a tiny volume leads to extraordinary optical events that cannot be observed under normal circumstances. Numerous high tech applications such as high-sensitivity optical biosensors, microlasers, photonic circuits, frequency combs, and optical accelerometers are based on optical microresonators. Optical microresonators’ superiority over traditional technologies in these areas lead to a growing interest

in them in the optics and photonics community. This talk aims to describe the operating principles of optical resonators and demonstrate examples regarding their significant applications and future potentials.