Ripplon laser through stimulated emission mediated by water waves

Samuel Kaminski, Leopoldo L. Martin, Shai Maayani & Tal Carmon

Lasers rely on stimulated electronic transition, a quantum phenomenon in the form of population inversion. In contrast, phonon masers1, 2, 3 depend on stimulated Raman scattering and are entirely classical. Here we extend Raman lasers1, 2, 3 to rely on capillary waves, which are unique to the liquid phase of matter and relate to the attraction between intimate fluid particles. We fabricate resonators that co-host capillary4 and optical modes5, control them to operate at their non-resolved sideband and observe stimulated capillary scattering and the coherent excitation of capillary resonances at kilohertz rates (which can be heard in audio files recorded by us). By exchanging energy between electromagnetic and capillary waves, we bridge the interfacial tension phenomena at the liquid phase boundary to optics. This approach may impact optofluidics by allowing optical control, interrogation and cooling6 of water waves.

DOI