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Surface acoustic wave opto-mechanical oscillator and frequency comb generator
A A Savchenkov1, A B Matsko, V S Ilchenko
1OEwaves Inc, Pasadena, California 91107, USA.
Optics Letters
|September 3, 2011
Summary
We achieved efficient coupling between optical and acoustic waves in a crystal resonator, generating a monochromatic surface acoustic wave (SAW). This led to a SAW pulse train and frequency comb, visualized via light modulation.
Area of Science:
- Optomechanics
- Acousto-optics
- Nonlinear Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Whispering gallery mode resonators offer long optical mode lifetimes.
- Surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are crucial for signal processing and sensing.
- Efficient coupling between optical and mechanical modes is key for novel opto-mechanical devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To realize efficient triply resonant coupling between optical and surface acoustic wave (SAW) modes.
- To investigate opto-mechanical oscillations and SAW generation.
- To explore nonlinear interactions for generating SAW pulse trains and frequency combs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a monolithic crystalline whispering gallery mode resonator.
- Achieved triply resonant coupling between two optical modes and a high-frequency SAW mode.
- Observed light modulation escaping the resonator to visualize the generated frequency comb.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated efficient opto-mechanical oscillation and generation of a monochromatic SAW.
- Observed strong nonlinear interaction leading to mechanical hyperparametric oscillation.
- Generated a SAW pulse train and an associated frequency comb, visualized via optical modulation.
Conclusions:
- Efficient triply resonant coupling enables novel opto-mechanical phenomena in crystalline resonators.
- Nonlinear SAW interactions can generate complex acoustic signals like pulse trains and frequency combs.
- This work provides a pathway for integrated opto-acoustic signal generation and processing.
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