Near-field control of optical bistability in a nanocavity

We show here that the optical bistability of a nonlinear nanoresonator can be efficiently controlled by manipulating dynamically the resonance of the optical cavity with a near-field tip. We demonstrate experimentally that the operating regime of the nanocavity can be switched between the monostable and the bistable regimes. Finally, we propose an analytical model which provides a clear understanding of the whole nonlinear opto-mechanical system reported here.