Self-powered tribophotonic devices for nonlinear electro-optic modulation

Electro-optical modulators (EOMs), operating via linear and non-linear electro-optical effects, are well-established components in optical communication systems, laser modulation, and photonic integrated circuits (PIC). However, conventional bulk crystal EOMs require high bias voltages, typically supplied by the power grid or large-capacity battery systems, thereby constraining their portability and overall sustainability. In this research, a green, environmentally friendly alternative is investigated that combines triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) with photonics to produce a self-powered tribophotonic device capable of stimulating EOMs in a lower frequency range. For this purpose, we achieved precise control of TENG output characteristics by engineering triboelectric nanomaterials synthesized through oblique-angle deposition. Different TENG operating conditions demonstrated a successful non-linear response in a Fabry-Perot transmission-based EOM. Our study demonstrates that TENG-generated bias fields, with voltage densities ranging from 4.25 × 10⁵V/m² to 8.95 × 10⁵V/m², enabled continuous tuning of the EOM transmission at 993 nm, achieving modulation depths between 17.5% and 64.7%. This result indicates the potential of TENG-driven EOMs for photonic applications, including optical communication systems, where modulation of near-infrared region wavelengths can be exploited for data transmission and signal processing.