Optical nonreciprocity and optomechanical circulator in three-mode optomechanical systems

TL;DR

This paper explores how a three-mode optomechanical system can exhibit optical nonreciprocity and function as a circulator by leveraging phase differences to break time-reversal symmetry, enabling advanced control of light and mechanical signals.

Contribution

It introduces a novel three-mode optomechanical system that achieves optical nonreciprocity and circulator functionality through phase-controlled symmetry breaking.

Findings

Demonstrates optical nonreciprocal response in the system

Shows the system can act as a three-port optomechanical circulator

Highlights phase difference as a key control parameter

Abstract

We demonstrate the possibility of optical nonreciprocal response in a three-mode optomechanical system where one mechanical mode is optomechanically coupled to two linearly coupled optical modes simultaneously. The optical nonreciprocal behavior is induced by the phase difference between the two optomechanical coupling rates which breaks the time-reversal symmetry of the three-mode optomechanical system. Moreover, the three-mode optomechanical system can also be used as a three-port circulator for two optical and one mechanical modes, which we refer to as optomechanical circulator.