
Optical cavities
An optical cavity is a space made up of mirrors that reflects light back and forth, allowing the light to build up and interact multiple times. This setup enhances certain properties of the light, such as its intensity or specific wavelengths. Optical cavities are essential in lasers, where they help produce a stable, concentrated beam of light. By carefully designing the cavity’s size and mirror reflectivity, scientists control the light’s behavior, enabling precise experiments and advanced technologies like high-resolution microscopes and quantum devices.