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Strong Optical-Mechanical Coupling in a Vertical GaAs/AlAs Microcavity for Subterahertz Phonons and Near-Infrared Light

A. Fainstein, N. D. Lanzillotti-Kimura, B. Jusserand, and B. Perrin
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 037403 – Published 14 January 2013
Physics logo See Viewpoint: Double Magic Coincidence in an Optomechanical Laser Cavity
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Abstract

We show that distributed Bragg reflector GaAs/AlAs vertical cavities designed to confine photons are automatically optimal to confine phonons of the same wavelength, strongly enhancing their interaction. We study the impulsive generation of intense coherent and monochromatic acoustic phonons by following the time evolution of the elastic strain in picosecond-laser experiments. Efficient optical detection is assured by the strong phonon backaction on the high-Q optical cavity mode. Large optomechanical factors are reported (THz/nm range). Pillar cavities based in these structures are predicted to display picogram effective masses, almost perfect sound extraction, and threshold powers for the stimulated emission of phonons in the range μWmW, opening the way for the demonstration of phonon “lasing” by parametric instability in these devices.

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  • Received 6 April 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.037403

© 2013 American Physical Society

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Double Magic Coincidence in an Optomechanical Laser Cavity

Published 14 January 2013

Coherent amplification of phonons may become possible with monolithic semiconductor laser cavities that support both optical and acoustic modes.

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Authors & Affiliations

A. Fainstein1, N. D. Lanzillotti-Kimura1, B. Jusserand2, and B. Perrin2

  • 1Instituto Balseiro and Centro Atómico Bariloche, C.N.E.A., R8402AGP Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
  • 2Institut des Nanosciences de Paris, UMR 7588 C.N.R.S., UPMC, 75005 Paris, France

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Vol. 110, Iss. 3 — 18 January 2013

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