Kavli Affiliate: Harry Atwater
| Summary:
Optical nonlinearities arise when the response of a photonic system depends on light intensity. Radiation pressure can create such a nonlinearity by moving a mechanically compliant reflector, thereby shifting the phase of the reflected light. Based on measured properties, we predict a giant phase responsivity of 263 rad W$^-1$ and a device-equivalent $n_2,mathrmeff = 5.4 times 10^-7$ m$^2$ W$^-1$ for a silicon nitride membrane trampoline with serpentine springs. We introduce strength-range-aperture metrics for reflective phase elements. Among reported mechanical resonators compared under a common direct-reflection protocol, this trampoline is an outlier, combining high compliance, practical optical accessibility, and 99.85% retention of its small-signal phase responsivity through a full $2π$ reflected-phase shift. Practical implementation requires optical and thermal co-design. Our framework indicates design priorities for future mechano-optical phase elements.
| Search Query: arXiv Query: search_query=au:”Atwater Harry”&id_list=&start=0&max_results=10
Read More