Discrete optics in optomechanical waveguide arrays.

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear optics
• Integrated photonics
• Optomechanics

Background:

• Optomechanical waveguide arrays (OMWAs) offer unique light propagation control.
• Nonlinear optical phenomena in waveguide arrays typically require high incident powers and long interaction lengths.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate light propagation properties in optomechanical waveguide arrays.
• To demonstrate optical self-focusing and self-defocusing at significantly reduced power and length scales.
• To explore the potential for tunable beam splitting applications.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical study of light propagation in subwavelength dielectric optomechanical waveguides.
• Exploitation of the strong mechanical Kerr effect for nonlinear optical phenomena.
• Engineering waveguide deformation using control light to manipulate signal light propagation.

Main Results:

• Achieved optical self-focusing and self-defocusing in OMWAs with milliwatt-level incident powers and micrometer-level lengths.
• Reduced required incident powers by five orders of magnitude and waveguide lengths by one order of magnitude compared to conventional nonlinear waveguide arrays.
• Demonstrated the potential for creating a splitting-ratio-tunable beam splitter by adjusting waveguide deformation.

Conclusions:

• Optomechanical waveguide arrays provide a new platform for discrete optics.
• The study significantly advances the application of integrated optomechanics by enabling low-power, short-length nonlinear optical effects.
• The tunable beam splitter capability opens new avenues for integrated optical devices.