Optomechanical Research Articles

High-reflectivity, high-Q micromechanical membranes via guided resonances for enhanced optomechanical coupling

Using Fano-type guided resonances (GRs) in photonic crystal (PhC) slab structures, we numerically and experimentally demonstrate optical reflectivity enhancement of high-Q SiNx membrane-type resonators used in membrane-in-the-middle optomechanical (OM) systems. Normal-incidence transmission and mechanical ringdown measurements of 50-nm-thick PhC membranes demonstrate GRs near 1064 nm, leading to a ∼4 × increase in reflectivity while preserving high mechanical Q factors of up to ∼5 × 106. The results would allow improvement of membrane-in-the-middle OM systems by virtue of increased OM coupling, presenting a path towards ground state cooling of such a membrane and observations of related quantum effects.

Opto-mechanical design, analysis and economical manufacture of a large aperture LIDAR receiver telescope

Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) at Nainital (29° 22’ N, 79° 27’ E, 1950 m amsl) is located in the central Himalayan region. Taking benefit of its pristine geographical location away from major urban pollution a LIDAR system was planned at this location to study the dynamics of atmosphere. Optical design analysis of LIDAR receiver telescope with backend detection optics was carried out in ZEMAX - EE simulation package to optimize system parameters. A concave mirror of 840 mm diameter was used as primary mirror to develop a large aperture LIDAR receiver telescope for receiving back-scattered photons from atmosphere. Mirror was housed in a simple three piece mirror cell manufactured precisely and economically from cast aluminium alloy 535.0 by Lost - Foam casting process. Mirror was kept floating at 18 points on axial supports designed, analyzed and manufactured for maintaining the optical quality of telescope. Solid modeling and deflection analysis of the axial supports confirmed that deflection due to mirror weight was within 10 µ whose effect on degradation of optical parameters was analyzed and found quite negligible. Key words: Telescope, LIDAR, lost - foam casting (LFC), axial supports.

Photonic RF Down-Converter Based on Optomechanical Oscillation

We demonstrate all-optical radio-frequency (RF) down-conversion in a silica microtoroid optomechanical (OM) oscillator. Preliminary results show that the OM oscillator can simultaneously serve as mixer and local oscillator in a photonic homodyne RF-receiver architecture.

The NuLens accommodating intraocular lens.

The NuLens intraocular lens (IOL) uses a new optomechanical concept to generate a wide range of dioptric power from minimal movements of the ciliary apparatus during accommodative effort. Basic study of the concept of optomechanics in the primate eye led to successful construction and implantation of functioning IOL prototypes.

New solutions in optomechanics

New solutions in optomechanics

Handbook of Optomechanical Engineering

Optical Fundamentals, R.R. Willey (Lexalite International Corporation, Charlevoix, Michigan) and R.E. Parks (Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona) Optomechanical Design Principles, D. Vukobratovich (National Optical Astronomical Observatory [NOAO], Tucson, Arizona) Materials for Optical Systems, R.A. Paquin (PreMaTechs, Inc., Oro Valley, Arizona) Metal Mirrors, R.A. Paquin (PreMaTechs, Inc., Oro Valley, Arizona) Lightweight Mirror Design, D. Vukobratovich (National Optical Astronomical Observatory [NOAO], Tucson, Arizona) Optical Mounts: Lenses, Windows, Small Mirrors, and Prisms, P.R. Yoder, Jr. (Consultant in Optomechanical Engineering, Norwalk, Connecticut) Adjustment Mechanisms, A. Ahmad (Center for Applied Optics, University of Alabama, Huntsville, Alabama) Structural Analysis of Optics, V. Genberg (Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, New York) Thermal and Thermoelastic Analysis of Optics, V. Genberg (Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, New York) Fabrication Methods, D. Engelhaupt (Center for Applied Optics, University of Alabama, Huntsville, Alabama) Index