Magnetic tuning with minimal thermal drift in high-Q microspheres coated with magnetorheological polydimethylsiloxane
Xiaoling Jin, Mengmeng Chen, Jihui Zheng, Enming Xu, Chen Jiang, Kaiming Zhou, Bing Sun, Zuxing Zhang
Abstract
Integration of whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) resonators with high-quality factors (Q) into advanced timing, oscillator, and sensing systems demands a platform that enables precise resonance frequency modulation. This study investigates the tuning characteristics of magnetorheological polydimethylsiloxane (MR-PDMS) coated microspheres (µ-spheres) employed as magnetic microresonators, achieving a Q value of 10 7 at the 1550 nm wavelength. Magnetic WGM resonators not only endow the device with magnetic adjustability but also markedly improve thermal resistance. Experimental findings reveal that the magnetic µ-sphere demonstrates a sensitivity of −32.53 MHz/mT, outperforming conventional magnetic WGM resonators. Furthermore, analysis of the temperature dependence shows a reduction in fluctuation to −2.85 MHz/K, thereby greatly enhancing the sensor’s practical detection limit.