Trapping of a microsphere pendulum resonator in an optical potential

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to trap a microsphere pendulum using optical forces from a photonic molecule, enabling precise all-optical self-alignment of microsystems with a deep, tunable potential.

Contribution

It demonstrates how to create a significant optomechanical potential to confine a micropendulum using dual optical modes in a photonic molecule.

Findings

Optical potential depth of about 10 eV achieved.

Potential width approximately 30 pm.

Trapping can be controlled by laser frequency selection.

Abstract

We propose a method to spatially confine or corral the movements of a micropendulum via the optical forces produced by two simultaneously excited optical modes of a photonic molecule comprising two microspherical cavities. We discuss how the cavity enhanced optical force generated in the photonic molecule can create an optomechanical potential of about 10 eV deep and 30 pm wide, which can be used to trap the pendulum at any given equilibrium position by a simple choice of laser frequencies. This result presents opportunities for very precise all-optical self-alignment of microsystems.