Optomechanical spectroscopy with broadband interferometric and quantum cascade laser sources.

Area of Science:

• Optomechanics
• Materials Science
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Semiconductor-metal multilayer structures exhibit tunable spectral properties.
• Light-induced mechanical actuation is a key phenomenon in optomechanics.
• Microstructures offer sensitivity for spectroscopic detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the optomechanical response of various microstructures for spectroscopic detection.
• To explore the potential of these structures in spatially and spectrally resolved spectroscopy.
• To analyze the underlying physical mechanisms driving the optomechanical effect.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication and testing of suspended silicon, silicon nitride, chromium, gold, and aluminum microstructures.
• Utilizing both dispersive and interferometric optical approaches.
• Characterizing the mechanical response to visible and infrared light stimuli.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the use of microstructures as detectors for visible and IR spectroscopy.
• Investigated dispersive and interferometric methods for spectroscopic applications.
• Observed mechanical responses linked to thermoplasmonic, absorption, and interference effects.

Conclusions:

• Optomechanical detection using semiconductor-metal multilayers holds significant potential for integrated spectrometers.
• The spectral tunability and mechanical actuation are key for advanced spectroscopic sensing.
• Understanding energy deposition mechanisms is crucial for optimizing optomechanical sensors.