This technology introduces a high-sensitivity acoustic sensing system based on a microtoroid resonator paired with a free-space optical coupling setup. Sound waves in the environment create tiny vibrations that shift the resonator’s frequency, allowing even subtle acoustic signals to be picked up with great precision. Unlike traditional sensor setups, this approach uses free-space optics, which simplifies system alignment and boosts resistance to environmental interference. The system has been successfully tested for detecting speech, with recorded demonstrations showing clear signal responses. Its ability to deliver real-time, precise acoustic detection makes it a strong fit for applications in voice recognition, monitoring, and security. The compact design and robust performance make it a practical and scalable sensing solution. Background: Acoustic sensing systems often struggle with noise interference, alignment challenges, or limited sensitivity. Traditional evanescent coupling methods can be fragile and hard to configure, reducing reliability and scalability. This technology addresses those limitations by adopting a free-space optical coupling approach with microtoroid resonators, significantly improving stability and alignment flexibility while maintaining high detection sensitivity. Current solutions may require more complex setups or may not be sensitive enough to detect subtle signals like quiet speech or distant sounds. This new method delivers clearer, faster, and more consistent results in real-world environments. Applications:
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