Light-Mediated Cascaded Locking of Multiple Nano-Optomechanical Oscillators

TLDR

Nonlinear interactions among oscillators give rise to collective phenomena such as synchronization and frequency locking, and optomechanical resonators—intrinsically nonlinear devices that enable long‑distance control via traveling light—provide a platform for such effects. The study demonstrates light‑mediated frequency locking of three distant nano‑optomechanical oscillators arranged in a cascaded configuration. The oscillators are integrated on a chip along a common coupling waveguide, driven by a single laser, and oscillate at gigahertz frequencies. Despite an initial mechanical frequency disorder of hundreds of kilohertz, the guided light locks all oscillators with a clear transition in the optical output, and the results are described by Langevin equations, paving the way to scalable cascaded optomechanical configurations.

Abstract

Collective phenomena emerging from nonlinear interactions between multiple oscillators, such as synchronization and frequency locking, find applications in a wide variety of fields. Optomechanical resonators, which are intrinsically nonlinear, combine the scientific assets of mechanical devices with the possibility of long distance controlled interactions enabled by traveling light. Here we demonstrate light-mediated frequency locking of three distant nano-optomechanical oscillators positioned in a cascaded configuration. The oscillators, integrated on a chip along a common coupling waveguide, are optically driven with a single laser and oscillate at gigahertz frequency. Despite an initial mechanical frequency disorder of hundreds of kilohertz, the guided light locks them all with a clear transition in the optical output. The experimental results are described by Langevin equations, paving the way to scalable cascaded optomechanical configurations.