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Optical control over multi-membrane materials

Project description

Innovative platform for optical control over acoustic metamaterials

Optomechanically controlled acoustic resonators are a promising building block for various applications, including routing and manipulation of vibrations within integrated acoustic circuits. Optomechanical control has so far only been established for systems with very few mechanical sites. This limitation imposes significant constraints on the size, complexity, and level of control of acoustic circuits. With this in mind, the MSCA-funded OCOMM project aims to establish a novel platform for optically interfaced, integrated acoustic circuits, overcoming existing restrictions. The project involves interfacing indium gallium phosphide membrane resonator arrays, fabricated over a distributed Bragg reflector substrate, using flexibly positioned micromirrors on optical fibre tips. The proposed approach will establish an out-of-plane optical interface utilising a membrane-in-the-middle cavity scheme. This innovation will enable unprecedented optical control over acoustic metamaterials.

Objective

Acoustic metamaterials and circuits allow to shape and control the propagation of vibrations, i.e. phonons, in an artificial material. Using the interaction of phonons with light in so called optomechanical devices, single material sites can be interfaced and mechanical properties be locally tuned. Optomechanically controlled acoustic circuits hold great promise for a wide range of applications from routing and manipulation of vibrations in integrated acoustic circuits, over topological optomechanical materials and non-reciprocal devices, to optomechanical arrays.

So far, optomechanical control of acoustic metamaterials on the scale of only up to two interface sites has been achieved by optomechanical crystals or coupled microdisks. The limited access to interface sites and the dominating disorder in those systems poses fundamental restrictions on the size, complexity, and amount of control over the acoustic layer.

My project will realize a new platform for optically interfaced, integrated acoustic circuits that lifts the present restrictions. To this end, I will interface InGaP-membrane resonator arrays, i.e. the acoustic metamaterial, fabricated over a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) substrate using flexibly positioned micromirrors on optical fiber tips. This system establishes an out-of-plane optical interface using a membrane-in-the-middle cavity scheme. The microscopic Fabry-Perot cavity approach enables large optomechanical spring effects that are used to individually control the acoustic material sites and that surpass both disorder and the direct mechanical coupling of acoustic resonator sites. This novel approach will allow for an unprecedented and hitherto unachieved level of optical control over acoustic metamaterials.

The platform established within this project will be suited for a vast number of applications complementing other integrated device platforms and opening a pathway to concepts so far only studied in theoretical proposals.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01

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Coordinator

CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA AKTIEBOLAG
Net EU contribution
€ 222 727,68
Address
-
412 96 Goteborg
Sweden
Region
Södra Sverige Västsverige Västra Götalands län
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data