Simulating frequency splittings and loss in Fabry-P\'erot cavities

TL;DR

This paper uses finite-element simulations to analyze frequency splittings and losses in Fabry-Pérot cavities, supporting existing theories and experiments with detailed spectral and loss predictions.

Contribution

It introduces comprehensive finite-element simulation results that characterize spectral splittings and modal losses in optical cavities, including effects like mirror shape and spin-orbit coupling.

Findings

Simulations reveal fine spectral structure influenced by mirror shape and nonparaxial effects.

Results support existing theoretical and experimental findings.

Model-independent predictions of modal losses are provided.

Abstract

Finite-element simulations of optical cavities are presented, showing frequency splittings in the resonance spectrum. These results support the theoretical framework and experimental observations presented in van Exter et al. (2022, Phys. Rev. A 106, 013501), Koks et al. (2022, Phys. Rev. A 105, 063502) and Post et al. (2025, Phys. Rev. A 112, 033537). The simulated (fine) structure in the spectrum can be characterized by mirror-shape and nonparaxial effects including spin-orbit coupling. These simulations also provide model-independent predictions of modal losses for optical cavities.