Article abstract
Nature Photonics 1, 416 - 422 (2007)
Published online: 2 July 2007 | doi:10.1038/nphoton.2007.96
Subject Categories: Fundamental optical physics | Novel materials and engineered structures
Actuation of micro-optomechanical systems via cavity-enhanced optical dipole forces
Matt Eichenfield1, Christopher P. Michael1, Raviv Perahia1 & Oskar Painter1
Abstract
Optical forces can produce significant mechanical effects in micro- and nanophotonic systems. Here we demonstrate a novel optomechanical system using a movable, micrometre-scale waveguide evanescently coupled to a high-Q optical microresonator. Micrometre-scale displacements of the waveguide are observed for milliwatt-level optical input powers. Measurement of the spatial variation of the force on the waveguide indicates that it arises from a cavity-enhanced optical dipole force resulting from the stored optical field of the resonator. This force is used to realize an all-optical tunable filter operating with submilliwatt control power. A theoretical model of the system shows that the maximum achievable force is independent of the intrinsic Q of the optical resonator and scales inversely with the cavity mode volume, suggesting that such forces may become even more effective as devices approach the nanoscale.
- Thomas J. Watson, Sr, Laboratory of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
Correspondence to: Oskar Painter1 e-mail: opainter@caltech.edu
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.
NEWS AND VIEWS
Microphotonics Under pressureNature Photonics News and Views (01 Jul 2007)
Microphotonics Playing with atomsNature Photonics News and Views (01 Nov 2007)
RESEARCH
Linear and nonlinear optical spectroscopy of a strongly coupled microdisk?quantum dot systemNature Letters to Editor (06 Dec 2007)
Trapping, corralling and spectral bonding of optical resonances through optically induced potentialsNature Photonics Article (01 Nov 2007)
See all 12 matches for Research
