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Nonlinear dynamics and chaos in an optomechanical beam
Daniel Navarro-Urrios1, Néstor E Capuj2, Martín F Colombano1
1Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Edifici ICN2, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain.
Nature Communications
|April 12, 2017
Summary
Researchers harnessed optical nonlinearities in silicon optomechanical nanobeams to control complex dynamics. They achieved precise control over limit cycles and chaos, paving the way for neurocomputation and chaos-based applications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Nonlinear Optics
- Optomechanics
- Complex Systems Dynamics
Background:
- Optical nonlinearities (thermo-optic, free-carrier dispersion) are typically undesirable in silicon resonators and optomechanical cavities.
- These nonlinearities can detune optical resonances from excitation lasers, impacting device performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To exploit optical nonlinearities and their coupling with mechanical degrees of freedom in silicon optomechanical nanobeams.
- To explore and control complex dynamical behaviors arising from these intercoupled systems.
Main Methods:
- Utilized silicon optomechanical nanobeams as the experimental platform.
- Precisely controlled excitation laser parameters (e.g., frequency, power).
- Analyzed the resulting optical and mechanical dynamics, including limit cycles and chaos.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated accurate control over two- and four-dimensional limit cycles.
- Observed a period-doubling route leading to six-dimensional chaos.
- Showcased bistability and hysteresis between different dynamical states (limit cycles and chaos) by scanning laser parameters.
Conclusions:
- Optical nonlinearities in silicon optomechanical systems can be harnessed to generate and control complex dynamics.
- These systems offer potential as versatile building blocks for neurocomputational networks and chaos-based applications.