Theoretical and experimental study of electromagnetic forces induced in one-dimensional photonic crystals

We studied theoretically and experimentally the induction of electromagnetic forces in one-dimensional photonic crystals with localized defects when light impinges transversally to the defect layer. The theoretical calculations indicate that the electromagnetic forces increases at a certain frequency that coincide with a defect photonic state. The photonic structure consists of a microcavity like structure formed of two one-dimensional photonic crystals made of free-standing porous silicon, separated by variable air gap and the working wavelength is 633 nm. The force generation is made evident by driving a laser light by means of a chopper; the light hits the photonic structure and induces a vibration and the vibration is characterized by using a very sensitive vibrometer.