Enhancing Optical Gradient Forces with Metamaterials

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that using metamaterials in transformation optics can significantly enhance optical gradient forces between waveguides, offering a robust method to boost nanophotonic actuation capabilities.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach to amplify optical gradient forces using metamaterials, surpassing traditional methods and maintaining robustness against losses.

Findings

Over tenfold increase in optical force achieved

Metamaterials effectively reduce perceived interwaveguide distance

Enhancement remains robust despite metamaterial dissipation

Abstract

We demonstrate how the optical gradient force between two waveguides can be enhanced using transformation optics. A thin layer of double-negative or single-negative metamaterial can shrink the interwaveguide distance perceived by light, resulting in a more than tenfold enhancement of the optical force. This process is remarkably robust to the dissipative loss normally observed in metamaterials. Our results provide an alternative way to boost optical gradient forces in nanophotonic actuation systems and may be combined with existing resonator-based enhancement methods to produce optical forces with an unprecedented amplitude.