A fiber-ring optical resonator comprises a transverse segment of an optical fiber
differing from adjacent segments in at least one physical property (e.g., diameter,
density, refractive index, chemical composition, etc) so that it may support a
resonant circumferential optical mode and enable evanescent optical coupling between
the circumferential mode and an optical mode of a second optical element. The resonator
may be fabricated with alignment structure(s) for enabling passive alignment of
the second optical element for evanescent coupling, and/or with structure for suppressing
undesired modes and/or resonances. A fiber-ring resonator may form a portion of
a resonant optical filter or modulator. A plurality of optically-coupled fiber-ring
resonators (formed on one or more fibers) may provide tailored spectral properties.
Spatially-selective techniques for forming a fiber-ring resonator may include masking/etching,
masking/deposition, laser machining, laser patterning, combinations thereof, and/or
functional equivalents thereof.
