title: Theoretical investigation of the transverse optical force between a silicon nanowire waveguide and a substrate.
abstract: We present a study of transverse optical forces arising in a free-standing silicon nanowire waveguide. A theoretical framework is provided for the calculation of the optical forces existing between a waveguide and a dielectric substrate. The force is evaluated using a numerical procedure based on finite-element simulations. In addition, an analytical formalism is developed which allows for a simple approximate analysis of the problem. We find that in this configuration optical forces on the order of pN can be obtained, sufficient to actuate nano-mechanical devices.
authors.affiliation: Yale University, Department of Electrical Engineering, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
authors.forename: W H P
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Pernice
authors.forename: Mo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: H X
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Tang