Acousto-optic modulation of a wavelength-scale waveguide
Abstract
Since the advent of the laser, acousto-optic modulators have been an important tool for controlling light. Recent advances in on-chip lithium niobate waveguide technology present new opportunities for these devices. We demonstrate a collinear acousto-optic modulator in a suspended film of lithium niobate employing a high-confinement, wavelength-scale waveguide. By strongly confining the optical and mechanical waves, this modulator improves a figure-of-merit that accounts for both acousto-optic and electro-mechanical efficiency by orders of magnitude. Our device demonstration marks a significant technological advance in acousto-optics that promises a novel class of compact and low-power frequency shifters, tunable filters, non-magnetic isolators, and beam deflectors.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 06, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.1364/optica.413401
Entities
People
- Amir H. Safavi-Naeini
- Christopher Sarabalis
- Felix M Mayor
- Raphaël Van Laer
- Rishi Patel
- Wentao Jiang
- Yanni D. Dahmani
Organizations
- David and Lucile Packard Foundation
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- NTT, Inc.
- National Science Foundation
- Stanford University
- United States Air Force