Optical actuation of micromechanical tunneling structures with applications in spectrum analysis and optical computing

An efficient method for optically actuating a micromechanical cantilever is presented for the first time to our knowledge. Measurable responses can be obtained for moderate light sources if electron tunneling occurs between t he cantilever tip acid a metallic contact below it. The small deflection of the cantilever that is due to light pressure is sufficient then to produce large tunneling current variations. On the basis of this effect several ap plications such as a miniaturized spectrum analyzer and one-step optical co mputing units for addition, integration, or differentiation of one-dimensio nal or two-dimensional optical signals are presented. (C) 1999 Optical Soci ety of America OCIS codes: 230.3990, 070.4560, 070.4790, 200.4740.