An in-plane nano-mechanics approach to achieve reversible resonance control of photonic crystal nanocavities

Opt Express. 2010 Oct 11;18(21):22232-44. doi: 10.1364/OE.18.022232.

Abstract

Control of photonic crystal resonances in conjunction with large spectral shifting is critical in achieving reconfigurable photonic crystal devices. We propose a simple approach to achieve nano-mechanical control of photonic crystal resonances within a compact integrated on-chip approach. Three different tip designs utilizing an in-plane nano-mechanical tuning approach are shown to achieve reversible and low-loss resonance control on a one-dimensional photonic crystal nanocavity. The proposed nano-mechanical approach driven by a sub-micron micro-electromechanical system integrated on low loss suspended feeding nanowire waveguide, achieved relatively large resonance spectral shifts of up to 18 nm at a driving voltage of 25 V. Such designs may potentially be used as tunable optical filters or switches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't