Experimental realization of optomechanically induced non-reciprocity

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates non-magnetic non-reciprocity in a microresonator using optomechanical interactions, achieving non-reciprocal phase shifts and transparency, advancing integrated optical isolators and circulators.

Contribution

It experimentally realizes optomechanically induced non-reciprocity without magnetic materials, enabling integrated non-magnetic non-reciprocal photonic devices.

Findings

Observed optomechanically induced non-reciprocal transparency and amplification

Demonstrated a non-reciprocal phase shift of up to 40 degrees

Progress towards integrated all-optical non-reciprocal devices

Abstract

Non-reciprocal devices, such as circulators and isolators, are indispensable components in classical and quantum information processing in an integrated photonic circuit. Aside from those applications, the non-reciprocal phase shift is of fundamental interest for exploring exotic topological photonics, such as the realization of chiral edge states and topological protection. However, incorporating low optical-loss magnetic materials into a photonic chip is technically challenging. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate non-magnetic non-reciprocity using optomechanical interactions in a whispering-gallery microresonator, as proposed by Hafezi and Rabl. Optomechanically induced non-reciprocal transparency and amplification are observed, and a non-reciprocal phase shift of up to 40 degrees is demonstrated in this study. The results of this study represent an important step towards integrated all-optical controllable isolators and circulators, as well as non-reciprocal phase shifters.