Researchers at NIST have developed a new type of circuit that can convert signals between light, sound, and radio waves. This “piezo-optomechanical circuit” could be used in next-generation computers to move and store information more efficiently than traditional electronic circuits.
The circuit works by using a nanoscale beam with holes that act as a hall of mirrors for light. Photons bounce between the holes, while mechanical vibrations (phonons) are confined in the beam. The light and sound waves exchange energy, allowing researchers to manipulate the beam’s motion using sound waves and detect the confined acoustic energy optically.
The team also demonstrated a link between radio frequency electromagnetic waves and the acoustic waves using piezoelectric materials. This could enable future information processing systems to incorporate multiple information carriers like photons and phonons for optimal performance.
The research, published in Nature Photonics, represents a step towards developing hybrid quantum systems that combine different types of physical information carriers.
Keywords: Optomechanics, Phonons, Piezoelectric, Transduction
