The quality factor of cavity resonator

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SUMMARY

The quality factor (Q) of a cavity resonator is defined by the equation Q=2π * (internal-stored-energy / energy-loss-per-cycle). For a specific expression in terms of wavelength (λ), the equation simplifies to Q=4πL / (λ(1-R)), where R is the reflection coefficient of the mirrors. The discussion emphasizes understanding the relationship between the reflection coefficient, the length of the cavity, and the energy dynamics within the resonator. Key insights include the importance of the fraction of energy lost per reflection and how this affects the overall quality factor.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of cavity resonators and their physical principles
  • Familiarity with the concept of reflection coefficient (R)
  • Basic knowledge of energy dynamics in electromagnetic fields
  • Ability to manipulate equations involving wavelength (λ) and length (L)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation of the quality factor for cavity resonators
  • Study the relationship between reflection coefficients and energy loss in resonators
  • Explore the concept of energy stored in electromagnetic fields
  • Learn about the implications of cavity length on quality factor and energy dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in physics, particularly those focusing on electromagnetic theory, cavity resonators, and quality factor analysis. This discussion is also beneficial for engineers working with optical systems and resonant structures.

Paul Black
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Hello

i have to derive the quality factor Q

i must start with Q=2\pi\frac{internal-stored-energy}{energy-loss-per-cycle}

the quality factor should be in terms of λ so the last equation shall be Q=\frac{4\pi L}{\lambda (1-R)}

i searched in google but i always get the Q-factor in terms of bandwidth
i hope you can help me.
thank you very much
 
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Is this homework?

If so this should be in the HW section, and you also need to show us some of your work,

I believe a good first step would be to think about what R means in the final equation...
 
The factor ( R ) is the reflection coefficient of mirrors.

the step before the last one must be like this

Q=\frac{4\pi L}{\lambda (1-R_{1}R_{2})}

since one of the mirrors has a reflection coefficient of 100% and it is equal to 1 we get the last step.
i don't know what the ( internal stored energy ) and (energy loss per cycle ) refers to.
i can't write them in terms of \lambda
hope you can help me to solve this question.
 
It simply refers to the total energy stored in the EM field. Some of this energy is lost whenever the EM wave hits a wall and some of the energy "leaks out" (if the reflectivity is <1)
 
thank you but i know what it means
i don't know how to write it mathematically ( in terms of R or L or lambda)
i found in google a new expression
Q=2\pi \frac{E}{\Delta E}

but still don't know how to get the last expression
 
ΔE is the energy lost per cycle.
Find how many reflections in one cycle. And how much energy (as a fraction of the initial energy) is lost at each reflection.
 
i think there are two reflections each cycle. but i must assume that one of them ( the mirror )has a 100% reflection which is equal to one. therefore i got only R in the last equation. i still don't have any idea where to start. with which values shall i interpret the ( total internal energy E ) and the ( energy lost per cycle )?
 
You don't need to find expressions for the total energy or the energy lost per cycle.
You need the fraction of energy lost for each reflection.
How do you define R? Isn't it related to this fraction of energy lost?
 
sorry but i have no idea how to solve this question.
can you please give me a link for this theme? if you have one of course
thank you in advance
 
  • #10
You mean about reflection coefficient? You don't have the meaning of it in your book or notes?
 
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  • #11
Would the following help? It may be obvious but . . . .
It would be an idea to get to understand how the wavelength, length and the reflection coefficient come into the equation. A simple harmonic resonator has a Q factor which is governed by the resistance (loss) and you could say there is loss during each cycle of oscillation and only one cycle's worth of energy. In a cavity, there is only loss when the wave hits the ends(s) - at least to a first approximation. The cycles of the wave that are between the ends are not subject to loss. Hence, the proportion of energy lost is less per cycle. The loss is reduced by a factor corresponding to the number of wavelengths between the ends.
Or, putting it another way, with the same reflection coefficient, a wave of twice the frequency would have the same loss per cycle but twice as much energy in the cavity so the definition of Q would give double the value of Q.
 
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  • #12
@nasu
i know what they mean ( reflection coefficient ) . i just wanted a pdf document where this type of resonator is discussed and maybe i can get the solution from such a document. i have searched a lot but i always get documents about electronic circuits which have resistance and Capacitor. i downloaded over 20 pdf documents but i just got the last equation or in terms of bandwidth but not how to derive it.
 
  • #13
i come to a solution but I am not sure if this is the right answer
i have attached the picture with the solution
 

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  • #14
The derivation is trivial if you just combine the info you have been given above, especially the post by Sophiecentaur which tells you how lambda and L comes into it(hint: how many half-wavelenghts fit into the cavity?)

If you assume that the cavity contains an amount of energy equal to E, what is ΔE?
I.e how much energy leaks out of the cavity? Once you have an expression for ΔE you can plug that into your definition of Q above and you have your answer.
 
  • #15
sorry but i wrote it all in the attachment. delta E is is the energy loss per cycle. the energy difference which is the same as energy loss per cycle.
or maybe i didn't understand what you mean.
I'm not satisfied with my solution. I'm sure this is the wrong way to derive such an expression.
 
  • #16
Paul Black said:
sorry but i wrote it all in the attachment. delta E is is the energy loss per cycle. the energy difference which is the same as energy loss per cycle.
or maybe i didn't understand what you mean.
I'm not satisfied with my solution. I'm sure this is the wrong way to derive such an expression.

There is just more energy in a long resonator, for the same amount of loss per cycle of oscillation. Forget the Maths derivation for a second and think of the Physics involved. Then return to the Maths.
 

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