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Published on: August 26, 2015
A near-field actuated optical nanocavity
Benoit Cluzell1, Loic Lalouat, Philippe Velha
1Département de Recherche Fondamentale sur la Matière Condensée, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, 17 ruedes Martyrs, F-38054 GRENOBLE Cedex 9, France. benoit.cluzel@u-bourgogne.fr
Optics Express
|June 4, 2008
Summary
We show that a sub-micrometer tip can tune nanocavity resonance by interacting with its evanescent near-field. This method modulates optical path length for wide spectral tuning without degrading cavity performance.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Nanotechnology
- Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics
Background:
- Nanocavities are crucial for light-matter interactions.
- Controlling nanocavity resonance is essential for tunable optical devices.
- Evanescent near-field interactions offer precise nanoscale control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a novel method for tuning nanocavity resonance using a proximate sub-micrometer tip.
- To investigate the effect of tip-cavity interaction on resonance energy, transmittance, and linewidth.
- To explore the potential of weak tip-cavity coupling for optical modulation.
Main Methods:
- Approaching a sub-micrometer tip into the evanescent near-field of a nanocavity.
- Monitoring changes in nanocavity resonance energy, peak-transmittance, and linewidth.
- Analyzing the tip's behavior as an optical path length modulator.
Main Results:
- Achieved switching and tuning of nanocavity resonance by tip proximity.
- Tuned resonance energy over a wide spectral range (Deltalambda/lambda~10(-3)).
- Maintained high cavity peak-transmittance and narrow resonance linewidth.
Conclusions:
- Tip-induced modulation of optical path length provides effective nanocavity tuning.
- Weak tip-cavity interaction is a viable regime for precise optical control.
- This technique offers a pathway for developing tunable nanophotonic devices.
