Title: Optical Resonators of Many Phases of Matter

Abstract: Plasma, an ionized gas, permits electrical control of optical gain, loss, and refractive index, raising the question of why it has not been utilized in optical microcavities. Similarly, liquid walls in resonators and fibers enable light interaction with capillary waves; yet, microfluidic devices typically rely on solid boundaries that prohibit such water waves. Here, we present optical microcavities filled with plasma, enabling electrically controlled optical properties, including absorption-induced transmission, electro-switching, and refractive indices below one. For liquids, we introduce fibers and resonators made strictly of water, permitting interactions between light and water waves. Furthermore, using emulsifiers, we demonstrate the softest optical resonator operating near the limit where Brownian fluctuations break our device.

Title: Optical Resonators of Many Phases of Matter

Abstract: Plasma, an ionized gas, permits electrical control of optical gain, loss, and refractive index, raising the question of why it has not been utilized in optical microcavities. Similarly, liquid walls in resonators and fibers enable light interaction with capillary waves; yet, microfluidic devices typically rely on solid boundaries that prohibit such water waves. Here, we present optical microcavities filled with plasma, enabling electrically controlled optical properties, including absorption-induced transmission, electro-switching, and refractive indices below one. For liquids, we introduce fibers and resonators made strictly of water, permitting interactions between light and water waves. Furthermore, using emulsifiers, we demonstrate the softest optical resonator operating near the limit where Brownian fluctuations break our device.