Microresonator array sensor

Microcavity optical resonators have been investigated in the last years extensively for possible applications in optical communication (switching, filtering, and multiplexing), to investigate cavity quantum dynamic effects, and for sensor applications. The most recent area of application is bio-sensing. The preferential resonator type in the communication area is the disc resonator, the spherical resonator is the most prominent resonator type in sensing applications and a rapidly growing number of groups are investigating the potential of hollow tube resonators for detecting of bio-agents. Here we will present the concept of resonator arrays as sensing element. Potential fields of application are similar to the single resonator sensor but also beyond. We will give an example of an application that is not accessible for single resonators. We will describe the use of resonator arrays as wavelength sensor and discuss several aspects such as the number of sensing elements or the line width on the performance of such a device.