Static and dynamic wavelength routing via the gradient optical force

TL;DR

This paper introduces an all-optical wavelength-routing method using the optical gradient force in a nano-optomechanical system, achieving high efficiency, fast switching, and seamless channel tuning for advanced photonics applications.

Contribution

It presents a novel nano-optomechanical device that enables seamless wavelength routing with high efficiency and rapid switching, advancing optical communication technologies.

Findings

Achieves 3000 times the intrinsic channel width in tuning range

Switching time less than 200 nanoseconds

Tuning efficiency of 309 GHz/mW

Abstract

Here we propose and demonstrate an all-optical wavelength-routing approach which uses a tuning mechanism based upon the optical gradient force in a specially-designed nano-optomechanical system. The resulting mechanically-compliant "spiderweb" resonantor realizes seamless wavelength routing over a range of 3000 times the intrinsic channel width, with a tuning efficiency of 309-GHz/mW, a switching time of less than 200-ns, and 100% channel-quality preservation over the entire tuning range. These results indicate the potential for radiation pressure actuated devices to be used in a variety of photonics applications, such as channel routing/switching, buffering, dispersion compensation, pulse trapping/release, and widely tunable lasers.