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Gigahertz All-Optical Modulation Using Reconfigurable Nanophotonic Metamolecules
Biqin Dong1, Xiangfan Chen1, Fan Zhou1
1Mechanical Engineering Department and ‡Biomedical Engineering Department, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.
Nano Letters
|December 15, 2016
Summary
We developed reconfigurable metamolecules with coupled optical and mechanical resonances. These exhibit strong optical forces enabling all-optical modulation for integrated photonic devices.
Area of Science:
- Nanophotonics and Metamaterials
- Optomechanics
- Device Physics
Background:
- Metamaterials enable unique light-matter interactions.
- Coherent coupling of optical and mechanical resonances is key for advanced functionalities.
- All-optical modulation is crucial for high-speed photonic circuits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and demonstrate reconfigurable metamolecules with coupled optical and mechanical resonances.
- To investigate the novel optical forces arising from this coupling.
- To achieve all-optical modulation at high frequencies.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of U-shaped cross-section nanowire metamolecules using CMOS-compatible processes.
- Characterization of colocalized electromagnetic and mechanical resonances.
- Experimental demonstration of all-optical modulation via incident light.
Main Results:
- Achieved deep-subdiffraction-limit spatial confinement (∼λ²/100).
- Observed a strong optical force distinct from conventional radiation forces.
- Demonstrated all-optical modulation at 1.8 GHz using a monolayer of metamolecules.
Conclusions:
- The designed metamolecules enable dynamic control of optical properties.
- The demonstrated all-optical modulation shows potential for integrated photonic devices.
- CMOS-compatible fabrication offers scalability for practical applications.
