Abstract

Ultralow-loss high-reflectivity mirrors are important for a variety of uses in optical physics. In this paper we report measurements of cavity decay times for a spherical mirror cavity over the wavelength range 790–880 nm. Total losses (transmission plus absorption and scatter) as low as 1.7 ppm per mirror are observed. The resonator used in this study consists of two dielectric-coated mirrors of 17.5-cm radius of cuivature separated by 4 mm. A tunable Ti:sapphire laser excites the cavity as the length of the resonator is slowly scanned using a piezoelectric transducer.

© 1991 Optical Society of America