Brillouin Optomechanics in Coupled Silicon Microcavities

Author(s)

Espinel, Y. A. V. ; Santos, F. G. S. ; Luiz, G. O. ; Mayer Alegre, T. P. ; Wiederhecker, G. S.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 7, MAR 6 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 9

Abstract

The simultaneous control of optical and mechanical waves has enabled a range of fundamental and technological breakthroughs, from the demonstration of ultra-stable frequency reference devices, to the exploration of the quantum-classical boundaries in optomechanical laser-cooling experiments. More recently, such an optomechanical interaction has been observed in integrated nano-waveguides and microcavities in the Brillouin regime, where short-wavelength mechanical modes scatter light at several GHz. Here we engineer coupled optical microcavities to enable a low threshold excitation of mechanical travelling-wave modes through backward stimulated Brillouin scattering. Exploring the backward scattering we propose silicon microcavity designs based on laterally coupled single and double-layer cavities, the proposed structures enable optomechanical coupling with very high frequency modes (11 to 25 GHz) and large optomechanical coupling rates (g(0)/2 pi) from 50 kHz to 90 kHz. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/17765-7 - Nanophotonics in Group IV and III-V semiconductors
• Grantee: Gustavo Silva Wiederhecker
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/17610-3 - Optomechanics in photonic and phononic crystals
• Grantee: Thiago Pedro Mayer Alegre
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants