Near-field control of optical bistability in a nanocavity

Micro- and nanocavities allow for strong light confinement in very small volume. They give opportunities for new experiments such as cavity quantum electrodynamics, waveguiding, light slowing or trapping. The increase of the electromagnetic (EM) field in the cavity enhances the interaction between light and matter, resulting in the possible observation of nonlinear effects. Several studies have recently been published on the observation and characterisation of nonlinear silicon cavities. As a step further, the authors propose and demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative way to mechanically control the bistable operating regime of a nanocavity. Using a near-field tip, the nanocavity operating regime was switched between monostable and bistable behaviours.