Heavy water detection using ultra-high-Q microcavities.

Ultra-high-Q optical microcavities (Q>10(7)) provide one method for distinguishing chemically similar species. Resonators immersed in H(2)O have lower quality factors than those immersed in D(2)O due to the difference in optical absorption. This difference can be used to create a D(2)O detector. This effect is most noticeable at 1,300 nm, where the Q(H(2)O) is 106 and the Q(D(2)O) is 107. By monitoring Q, concentrations of 0.0001% [1 part in 106 per volume] of D(2)O in H(2)O have been detected. This sensitivity represents an order of magnitude improvement over previous techniques. Reversible detection was also demonstrated by cyclic introduction and flushing of D(2)O.