Static and dynamic wavelength routing via the gradient optical force

• Published in: Nature photonics Vol. 3; no. 8; pp. 478 - 483
• Main Authors: Rosenberg, Jessie, Lin, Qiang, Painter, Oskar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.08.2009; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Applied and Technical Physics; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Gravitational waves; Lasers; Optical computers, logic elements, interconnects, switches; neural networks; Optical elements, devices, and systems; Optics; Photonics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Quantum Physics; Radiation; Simulation; United States > US; California; Optical information processing; Optical interconnections; Routing; Optical dispersion compensation; Optical forces; Radiation pressure; ns range; Photonics
• ISSN: 1749-4885; 1749-4893
• DOI: 10.1038/nphoton.2009.137

We propose and demonstrate an all-optical wavelength routing approach that uses a tuning mechanism based upon the optical gradient force in a specially designed nano-optomechanical system. The resulting mechanically compliant ‘spiderweb’ resonator realizes seamless wavelength routing over a range of 3,000 times the intrinsic channel width, with a tuning efficiency of 309 GHz mW −1 , a switching time of less than 200 ns, and 100% channel quality preservation over the entire tuning range. These results indicate the potential for radiation pressure actuated devices to be used in a variety of photonics applications, such as channel routing/switching, buffering, dispersion compensation, pulse trapping/release and widely tunable lasers. All-optical wavelength routing based on optical gradient force in mechanically compliant spoked resonators is demonstrated over a wavelength range that is 3,000 times greater than the resonator linewidth. A switching time of less than 200 ns, a tuning efficiency of 309 GHz mW −1 and 100% channel-quality preservation over the entire tuning range is achieved.