Manipulating motion with light: Gradient force optomechanics in double-disk microcavities

Optical forces have been utilized in wide-ranging applications, from optical tweezing to laser cooling, for nearly forty years. Utilizing a double-microdisk nano-optomechanical system, we demonstrate coherent mechanical oscillation, highly efficient self-cooling, broadband wavelength routing, fast optical switching, and sensitive phonon detection in a simple, on-chip silicon-based platform. © 2011 IEEE.