Vibrational resonance amplification in a thermo-optic optomechanical nanocavity

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates vibrational resonance in a thermo-optic nanocavity, significantly amplifying weak signals, with potential applications in low-power nanophotonic devices.

Contribution

First experimental observation of vibrational resonance in a thermo-optic nanocavity with notable signal amplification and characterization via mechanical resonance.

Findings

Achieved up to +16 dB signal amplification

Observed vibrational resonance in a photonic crystal optomechanical resonator

Characterized bistability through mechanical resonance

Abstract

Vibrational resonance amplifies a weak low-frequency signal by use of an additional non-resonant high-frequency modulation. The realization of weak signal enhancement in integrated nonlinear optical nanocavities is of great interest for nanophotonic applications where optical signals may be of low power. Here, we report experimental observation of vibrational resonance in a thermo-optically bistable photonic crystal optomechanical resonator with an amplification up to +16 dB. The characterization of the bistability can interestingly be done using a mechanical resonance of the membrane, which is submitted to a strong thermo-elastic coupling with the cavity.