AlN-on-sapphire microdisk resonators for precise on-chip temperature sensing

D D. O. Armstrong (School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,) J J. K. Cannon (School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,) O O. Kiely (School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,) S S. Ibrahim (School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,) H H. B. Yağcı (School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,) T T. Peach (Institute for Compound Semiconductors, Translational Research Hub 2 , Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ,) P P. Wong (Institute for Compound Semiconductors, Translational Research Hub 2 , Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ,) J J. P. Hadden (School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,) A A. J. Bennett (School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,)

Abstract

Photonic integrated circuit sensors can be used for precise sensing of the environment, offering the advantage of integration with fiber networks for remote and multiplexed sensor arrays. In this work, we examine the performance of aluminum nitride on sapphire microdisk mode resonators in an all-pass configuration. We discuss their potential as on-chip temperature sensors under fixed-frequency and frequency-scanning modes, demonstrating the latter can measure a 1 K temperature change with an uncertainty of ±5.1 mK over a temperature range of 25–55 °C.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 139, Issue 7
Published February 21, 2026
ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Journal of Applied Physics

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0021-8979 Physical Sciences

Authors (9)

D

D. O. Armstrong

School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,

J

J. K. Cannon

School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,

O

O. Kiely

School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,

S

S. Ibrahim

School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,

H

H. B. Yağcı

School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,

T

T. Peach

Institute for Compound Semiconductors, Translational Research Hub 2 , Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ,

P

P. Wong

Institute for Compound Semiconductors, Translational Research Hub 2 , Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ,

J

J. P. Hadden

School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,

A

A. J. Bennett

School of Engineering, Cardiff University 1 , Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA,