Single-sideband microwave-to-optical conversion in high-Q ferrimagnetic microspheres
Cheng‐Zhe Chai, Zhen Shen, Yan‐Lei Zhang, Haoqi Nina Zhao, Guang−Can Guo, Chang‐Ling Zou, Chun‐Hua Dong
Abstract
Coherent conversion of microwave and optical photons can significantly expand the capabilities of information processing and communications systems. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the microwave-to-optical frequency conversion in a magneto-optical whispering gallery mode microcavity. By applying a magnetic field parallel to the microsphere equator, the intracavity optical field will be modulated when the magnon is excited by the microwave drive, leading to a microwave-to-optical conversion via the magnetic Stokes and anti-Stokes scattering processes. The observed single-sideband conversion phenomenon indicates a nontrivial optical photon–magnon interaction mechanism derived from the magnon that induced both the frequency shift and modulated coupling rate of optical modes. In addition, we demonstrate the single-sideband frequency conversion with an ultrawide tuning range up to 2.5 GHz, showing its great potential in microwave-to-optical conversion.