A research team used a microresonator’s two optical and two mechanical modes to show nonreciprocal routing between modes with different frequencies through radiation pressure force.
Systems for processing information and performing detection based on photons and phonons often include optical and acoustic nonreciprocal devices. Although magnetically induced nonreciprocity is frequently used in optical devices, device integration is still a problem. Due to the weak impact of magnetically induced acoustic nonreciprocity, acoustic nonreciprocal devices are difficult to integrate. Optomechanical systems are one of the most promising methods to realize magnet-free nonreciprocity.
The researchers looked at the nonreciprocal conversion of photons and phonons in a microresonator. The team used two optical and mechanical modes to create a closed cycle of a four-mode plaquette with frequencies of 388 THz, 309 THz, 117 MHz, and 79 MHz, respectively. The team showed nonreciprocal routings between two nodes in these four modes: phonon-phonon (MHz-MHz), photon-photon (THz-THz), and photon-phonon routings. (THz-MHz).
In an earlier study, the team built a synthetic gauge field using multiple modes in an optomechanical microresonator using the mechanism of these nonreciprocal conversions. By changing the gauge field’s phase, which was governed by the light’s phase, the nonreciprocal routing could be managed. Researchers later created a phononic circulator directed by two control stages by adding a third mechanical mode to the plaquette.
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