Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Optics Express

Polymorphic nanoparticles as all-optical memory elements

Bruno F. Soares, Maxim V. Bashevoy, F. Jonsson, Kevin F. MacDonald, Nikolay I. Zheludev

Published Jan 1, 2006• 12 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A nanoparticle undergoing light-induced transformations between structural phases with different optical properties is an inheritably bistable structure and this bistability can be used to create a resonator-free optical memory element, operating at very low power levels. We experimentally demonstrate this memory functionality using a film of gallium nanoparticles, and we present a method for differentially accessing the logic state of the memory using a modulated optical probe beam.

DOI
10.1364/oe.14.010652

Related papers

Single nanoparticle as photonic switch and optical memory element

Nikolay I. Zheludev

We review the concept of using nanoparticles undergoing light-induced transformations between structural phases with different optical properties as key components of optical gate and memory elements, with the potential to operate on picosecond timescales at femtojoule energy levels.

Journal of Optics A Pure and Applied Optics•Mar 21, 2006•44 citations

All-Optical Phase-Change Memory in a Single Gallium Nanoparticle

Bruno F. Soares, Fredrik Jonsson, Nikolay I. Zheludev

We report on the first demonstration of a quaternary-logical resonatorless optical memory element with information encoded in the structural phase of a single 80 nm gallium nanoparticle. The size of the memory element is comparable with bits in next-generation hard disks, and radically smaller than previously suggested memories exploiting optical resonators. Furthermore, the energy required for switching the nanoparticle is an order of magnitude less than needed in DVD, DVR, or hard disk technologies.

Physical Review Letters•Apr 10, 2007•102 citations

Single Nanoparticle as Photonic Switch and Optical Memory Element

Bruno F. Soares, Kevin F. MacDonald, V.A. Fedotov +2 more

We suggest and experimentally demonstrate a new concept for optical nanowatt switching and memory function made possible by light-induced structural transformations in a single nanoparticle.

Integrated Photonics Research•Jan 1, 2005•0 citations

Optical bistability on a silicon chip

Vilson R. Almeida, Michal F. Lipson

We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, optical bistability on a highly integrated silicon device, using a 5-microm-radius ring resonator. The strong light-confinement nature of the resonator induces nonlinear optical response with low pump power. We show that the optical bistability allows all-optical functionalities, such as switching and memory with microsecond time response and a modulation depth of 10 dB, driven by pump power as low as 45 microW. Silicon optical bistability relies on a fast thermal nonlinear optical effect presenting a 500-kHz modulation bandwidth.

Optics Letters•Oct 15, 2004•423 citations

A bistable Fabry-Perot resonator

P. W. E. Smith, E. H. Turner

We propose and demonstrate the operation of a novel bistable optical device that exhibits differential gain and can function as an optical switch, limiter, or optical memory element.

Applied Physics Letters•Mar 15, 1977•151 citations

All-optical memories based on photonic crystal nanocavities

Akihiko Shinya, Shinji Matsuo, Kengo Nozaki +5 more

We demonstrate all-optical bistable memory operation with InGaAsP photonic crystal nanocavities based on refractive index modulation caused by carrier-induced nonlinearity. The minimum bias power for bistability is extremely low at 40 muW and the operating energy required for switching is only 30 fJ.

International Conference on Photonics in Switching•Sep 1, 2009•3 citations
A nanoparticle undergoing light-induced transformations between structural phases with different optical properties is an inheritably bistable structure and this bistability can be used to create a resonator-free optical memory element, operating at very low power levels. We experimentally demonstrate this memory functionality using a film of gallium nanoparticles, and we present a method for differentially accessing the logic state of the memory using a modulated optical probe beam.
We report on the first demonstration of a quaternary-logical resonatorless optical memory element with information encoded in the structural phase of a single 80 nm gallium nanoparticle. The size of the memory element is comparable with bits in next-generation hard disks, and radically smaller than previously suggested memories exploiting optical resonators. Furthermore, the energy required for switching the nanoparticle is an order of magnitude less than needed in DVD, DVR, or hard disk technologies.
We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, optical bistability on a highly integrated silicon device, using a 5-microm-radius ring resonator. The strong light-confinement nature of the resonator induces nonlinear optical response with low pump power. We show that the optical bistability allows all-optical functionalities, such as switching and memory with microsecond time response and a modulation depth of 10 dB, driven by pump power as low as 45 microW. Silicon optical bistability relies on a fast thermal nonlinear optical effect presenting a 500-kHz modulation bandwidth.