Optomechanical “nonlinear” light modulation on nano-scales

Interaction between light beams at different frequencies requires an object, mediating the process. Most commonly, nonlinear materials are used for this purpose, but having naturally small nonlinear susceptibilities, they demand high light intensities which put certain limitations on devices performances. Here we investigate an approach for nonlinear optical interactions, mediated by nanoelectromechanical systems. Nanoparticle, controllably moved by a driving beam in and out the focus of a signal, modulates the intensity of the later. We investigated the system which contains of a deep-subwavelength plasmonic v-groove waveguide and resonant nanoparticle. The particle is driven by the pump into controllable oscillatory motion inside the v-groove and scatters the waveguided (signal) mode, modulating its intensity. The visibility of 10% per single particle was demonstrated. Moderate intensities, efficient interactions and deep subwavelngth devices dimensions make nanoelectromechanical systems to be of a primary interest for future opto-electronic technology.