Systems and methods for coupling light into a multi-mode resonator

A photonic system, comprising:

• an optical cavity having a preferred radial mode for light propagation within the optical cavity, wherein the preferred radial mode has a unique light propagation constant within the optical cavity;
• and
• an optical waveguide configured to approach the optical cavity within an evanescent optical coupling distance at a first location along a circumferential half the optical cavity and at a second location along said circumferential half of the optical cavity, wherein the optical waveguide is not within the evanescent optical coupling distance of the optical cavity between the first location and the second location, the optical waveguide having a light propagation constant that substantially matches the unique light propagation constant of the preferred radial mode within the optical cavity, such that at least some light propagating through the optical waveguide will optically couple into the preferred radial mode of the optical cavity at each of the first location and the second location along said circumferential half of the optical cavity, wherein a distance along said circumferential half of the optical cavity between the first location and the second location is less than one-quarter of a total circumferential distance around the optical cavity.