Loading-effect-based 3-D microfabrication empowers on-chip Brillouin optomechanics

Abstract

The acousto-optic interaction known as stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) has emerged as fundamental principles for realizing crucial components and functionalities in integrated photonics. However, the main challenge of integrated Brillouin devices is how to effectively confine both optical and acoustic waves. Apart from that, the manufacturing processes for these devices need to be compatible with standard fabrication platforms, and streamlined to facilitate their large-scale integration. Here, we demonstrate a novel suspended nanowire structure that can tightly confine photons and phonons. Furthermore, tailored for this structure, we introduce a loading-effect-based three-dimensional microfabrication technique, compatible with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. This innovative technique allows for the fabrication of the entire structure using a single-step lithography exposure, significantly streamlining the fabrication process. Leveraging this structure and fabrication scheme, we have achieved a Brillouin gain coefficient of 1100 1/W/m on the silicon-on-insulator platform within a compact footprint. It can support a Brillouin net gain over 4.1 dB with modest pump powers. We believe that this structure can significantly advance the development of SBS on chip, unlocking new opportunities for the large-scale integration of Brillouin-based photonic devices.