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arXiv · 2604.23998

Molecular-optomechanical phonon laser

Bin Yin·Jie Wang·Qian Zhang·Deng Wang·Tian-Xiang Lu·Hui Jing
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Abstract

Molecular cavity optomechanics (COM) leverages ultrastrong interactions between confined optical fields and high-frequency molecular vibration, providing a unique platform for exploring high-frequency phonon dynamics. In this work, we theoretically propose the use of a hybrid molecular COM system for realizing an ultra-low-threshold mid-infrared (MIR) phonon laser. Despite an optical quality factor of only $Q_a=100$, an ultra-low threshold power of $\mathrm{P}_{\mathrm{th}} = 17.5~\mathrm{nW}$ is achieved, enabled by giant single-photon optomechanical coupling and molecular collective effect. Moreover, the mechanical gain and threshold power can be further tuned by adjusting the distance between mirrors of the Fabry-P\'{e}rot cavity. Our findings establish the first direct connection between molecular COM and MIR phonon lasers, with potential applications in MIR acoustics and biomedical imaging.

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Bin Yin, Jie Wang, Qian Zhang, Deng Wang, Tian-Xiang Lu, Hui Jing. 2026-04-27. Molecular-optomechanical phonon laser. https://doi.org/10.1002/lpor.71191

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