title: Evanescent-wave bonding between optical waveguides.
abstract: Forces arising from overlap between the guided waves of parallel, microphotonic waveguides are calculated. Both attractive and repulsive forces, determined by the choice of relative input phase, are found. Using realistic parameters for a silicon-on-insulator material system, we estimate that the forces are large enough to cause observable displacements. Our results illustrate the potential for a broader class of optically tunable microphotonic devices and microstructured artificial materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and the Center for Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Povinelli
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loncar
authors.forename: Mihai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ibanescu
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Smythe
authors.forename: Steven G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Capasso
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Joannopoulos