Optical Forces in Silicon Nanophotonics and Optomechanical Systems: Science and Applications

Abstract

Light-matter interactions have been explored for more than 40 years to achieve physical modulation of nanostructures or the manipulation of nanoparticle/biomolecule. Silicon photonics is a mature technology with standard fabrication techniques to fabricate micro- and nano-sized structures with a wide range of material properties (silicon oxides, silicon nitrides, p- and n-doping, etc.), high dielectric properties, high integration compatibility, and high biocompatibilities. Owing to these superior characteristics, silicon photonics is a promising approach to demonstrate optical force-based integrated devices and systems for practical applications. In this paper, we provide an overview of optical force in silicon nanophotonic and optomechanical systems and their latest technological development. First, we discuss various types of optical forces in light-matter interactions from particles or nanostructures. We then present particle manipulation in silicon nanophotonics and highlight its applications in biological and biomedical fields. Next, we discuss nanostructure mechanical modulation in silicon optomechanical devices, presenting their applications in photonic network, quantum physics, phonon manipulation, physical sensors, etc. Finally, we discuss the future perspective of optical force-based integrated silicon photonics.

On‐Chip Optical Detection of Viruses: A Review

“…[ 67 ] More detailed discussion about the advances in optical manipulation of biomolecules can be found in recently published review articles. [ 68,69 ] Metallic nanoparticles such as gold nanosphere [ 70 ] (Figure 3b) and nanorod [ 71 ] (Figure 3c) utilize localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) to detect viruses. LSPR arises from the collective oscillations of free electrons in nanoparticles with size comparable to the exciting wavelength.…”

Multifunctional metasails for self-stabilized beam-riding and optical communication

“…The operating principle of a lightsail is based on momentum exchange between the light and the object upon scattering which is manifested by an optical force exerted to the object. Optical forces are currently being used in variety of applications including manipulation and trapping of the nanoparticles [10,11,12,13].…”

“…Optical forces are currently being used in variety of applications, including the manipulation and trapping of the nanoparticles. [10][11][12][13] Soon aer the discovery of Proxima Centauri B, the exoplanet within the habitable zone of Alpha Centauri, in 2016, the Breakthrough Starshot initiative was launched, aiming to send a swarm of lightsail-driven probes to this region for collecting scientic data in a yby mission and transmitting information back to an Earth-based receiver. For this purpose, the Breakthrough Starshot envisions ultra-light spacecras consisting of a payload, called Starchip, carrying communication and sensing equipment, and a large-area lightsail which is accelerated to 20% of the speed of light under the illumination of a highpower laser beam (100 GW) generated by an Earth-based laser array, for a duration of approximately 1000 seconds.…”

“…Optical forces are currently being used in variety of applications, including the manipulation and trapping of the nanoparticles. 10–13…”

Wafer-level hermetically sealed silicon photonic MEMS

“…For example, integrated optical sensors based on suspended Si waveguides achieve high sensitivity, due to the high Si-air refractive index contrast that allows for high mode deconfinement [6][7][8][9]. Furthermore, optomechanical coupling and optical forces can be harnessed, for uses such as particle manipulation, telecommunication, or on-chip nonreciprocal transmission [10][11][12]. Movable and tunable Si photonic microelectromechanical (MEMS) components also show promise as lowpower and compact reconfigurable photonic building blocks for large scale programmable photonic circuits that can be reprogrammed for a variety of optical functions [13][14][15][16][17][18][19], i.e.…”