# Bridging Mid- and Near-Infrared by Combining Optomechanics and Self-Mixing

## TL;DR

A new platform combines optomechanics and self-mixing to transfer information between near- and mid-infrared radiation.

## Contribution

The novel use of self-mixing signals in optomechanics to bridge mid- and near-infrared spectral regions.

## Key findings

- The platform uses a mid-infrared laser's self-mixing signal to detect membrane oscillations.
- Amplitude modulation at resonance frequency enables spectral broadness and cross-spectral communication.
- The technique supports potential applications in communication and sensing systems.

## Abstract

This work describes
a self-mixing-assisted optomechanical
platform
for transferring information between near- and mid-infrared radiation.
In particular, the self-mixing signal of a mid-infrared quantum cascade
laser is used to detect the oscillation of a membrane driven by light-induced
forces exerted by a near-infrared excitation beam, which is amplitude-modulated
at the membrane resonance frequency. This technique benefits from
spectral broadness and, therefore, can link different spectral regions
from both the excitation and the probe sides. This versatility can
pave the way for future applications of this self-mixing-assisted
optomechanical platform in free-space communication and advanced sensing
systems.