Work

Optomechanical fluorescence tuning in doped polymer thin films

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We report optomechanical fluorescence tuning of organic fluorophores in PMMA polymerthin films induced by optically driven radiation pressure. Low-frequency modulation of theoptical pressure generates mechanical vibrations in the film, leading to resonant deformationand significant thinning at the mechanical resonance frequency. When fluorophores areembedded in the polymer matrix, this optomechanical response modifies their local environment through strain and shear effects, resulting in a measurable tuning of the fluorescenc spectrum. At resonance, we observe a broadening of the main emission band together with the emergence of a long-wavelength tail. These spectral modifications are attributed to mechanically induced variations of the local polymer environment affecting the distribution of emissive and ground states of the fluorophores. Overall, these results demonstrate optomechanical modification of fluorescence in soft luminescent materials and provide a basis for further studies of mechanically tunable photonic systems.

Source: Results in Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.rinma.2026.101060

Authors: Janine Emile, Pierre-Antoine Bouit, Jean-Christophe Le Breton, Julien Morin, Olivier Emile

Institutions: Université de Rennes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, Institut de Physique de Rennes

Language: English

Topic: Mechanical and Optical Resonators

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,530

Funder: Université de Rennes 1