Harnessing optical forces in integrated photonic circuits.

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Nanotechnology
• Optomechanics
• Solid-State Physics

Background:

• Photon force is crucial for light-matter interactions, with applications like optical tweezers.
• Existing methods for harnessing optical forces in microcavities are limited by large footprints, hindering nanoscale integration.
• On-chip exploitation of transverse optical forces faces challenges due to the lack of efficient nanoscale photonic transducers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the direct detection and exploitation of transverse optical forces within an integrated silicon photonic circuit.
• To demonstrate an all-optical method for operating nanomechanical systems on a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible platform.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing an embedded nanomechanical resonator, specifically a free-standing waveguide, within a silicon photonic circuit.
• Driving the nanomechanical device directly with optical force.
• Reading out the device's response through evanescent coupling of guided light to the dielectric substrate.

Main Results:

• Successfully detected and exploited transverse optical forces in an integrated silicon photonic circuit.
• Achieved all-optical operation of a nanomechanical system.
• Demonstrated a CMOS-compatible platform with enhanced bandwidth and design flexibility compared to electrical schemes.

Conclusions:

• Transverse optical forces can be effectively harnessed in integrated silicon photonics for nanomechanical actuation.
• This approach enables all-optical nanomechanical systems on a scalable, CMOS-compatible platform.
• The developed method offers significant advantages in bandwidth and design flexibility over conventional electrical methods.