Synchronization of optomechanical cavities by mechanical interaction

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates synchronization of two optomechanical crystal cavities via mechanical coupling, showing anti-phase oscillations and controllable desynchronization, paving the way for integrated networks in sensing and neuromorphic computing.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental demonstration of synchronized optomechanical cavities coupled mechanically, including methods to control and disable synchronization.

Findings

Cavities oscillate in anti-phase in synchronized state

Synchronization can be temporarily disabled with a heating laser

Results can be scaled to larger networks of cavities

Abstract

The synchronization of coupled oscillators is a phenomenon found throughout nature. Mechanical oscillators are paradigmatic among such systems, but realising them at the nanoscale is challenging. We report synchronization of the mechanical dynamics of a pair of optomechanical crystal cavities that are intercoupled with a mechanical link and support independent optical modes. In this regime they oscillate in anti-phase, which is in agreement with the predictions of our numerical model that considers reactive coupling. Finally, we show how to temporarily disable synchronization of the coupled system by actuating one of the cavities with a heating laser, so that both cavities oscillate independently. Our results can be upscaled to more than two cavities and are thus the first step towards realizing integrated networks of synchronized optomechanical oscillators. Such networks promise unparalleled performances for time-keeping and sensing purposes and unveil a new route for neuromorphic computing applications.