Volatile optical bistability enabled by mechanical nonlinearity

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel volatile optical bistability mechanism using a hybrid nano-optomechanical device with nanowires and plasmonic metamolecules, enabling low-power optical switching controlled by mechanical nonlinearity.

Contribution

It demonstrates a new volatile optical bistability system leveraging mechanical nonlinearity in nanowires, distinct from traditional phase-change based optical memory.

Findings

Achieved bistable optical response driven by acoustic signals at mechanical resonance.

Memory can be erased by removing the acoustic signal, showing volatility.

Switching occurs with microwatts of optical power, indicating low power consumption.

Abstract

Optical devices with metastable states controlled with light (optical flip-flops) are needed in data storage, signal processing and displays. Although non-volatile optical memory relying on structural phase transitions in chalcogenide glasses has been widely used for optical data storage, beyond that, weak optical nonlinearities have hindered the development of low-power bistable devices. Here we report on a new type of volatile optical bistability in a resonant hybrid nano-optomechanical device, comprising of a pair of anchored nanowires decorated with plasmonic metamolecules. The nonlinearity resides in the mechanical properties of the nanowires and is transduced to its optical response by reconfiguring the plasmonic metamolecules. Such a system can be driven to a bistable response by acoustic signals modulated at the natural mechanical resonance of the nanowire. The memory of such a device is volatile and can be erased by removing the acoustic signal but in its presence, it can be switched between bistable optical states with microwatts of optical power. We argue that the demonstration of hybrid nano-optomechanical bistability opens new opportunities to develop practical low-power bistable devices.