Polygonal optical cavities

A general class of multifacet optical resonators that have uniform polygona l geometries is described. Expressions for the transmission of light throug h classical refractive escape from the cavities are presented. The conventi onal Fabry-Perot resonator is shown to be a special case of this general cl ass of cavities. The effects of absorption and scattering of optical radiat ion on the transmission properties and cavity-quality factors are analyzed. These resonator structures have significant applications in a wide variety of optical devices. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America. OCIS codes: 140.4 780, 140.3410.