Tunable bipolar optical interactions between guided lightwaves

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates experimentally that guided lightwaves in dielectric waveguides can exert both attractive and repulsive optical forces, which can be reversibly switched by tuning the phase of the lightwaves, enabling new light force devices.

Contribution

It introduces the first experimental demonstration of tunable bipolar optical forces between coupled nanomechanical waveguides, expanding the control over light-matter interactions.

Findings

Both attractive and repulsive forces observed

Reversible switching of force sign achieved

Foundation for new light force devices established

Abstract

The optical binding forces between guided lightwaves in dielectric waveguides can be either repulsive or attractive. So far only attractive force has been observed. Here we experimentally demonstrate a bipolar optical force between coupled nanomechanical waveguides. Both attractive and repulsive optical forces are obtained. The sign of the force can be switched reversibly by tuning the relative phase of the interacting lightwaves. This tunable, bipolar interaction forms the foundation for the operation of a new class of light force devices and circuits.