Abstract
This work reports a novel spontaneous synchronization process within an optomechanical
crystal, which involves thermal/free-carrier self-pulsing and coherent mechanical motion.
Both oscillating systems are driven and coupled by the optical energy stored in the cavity.
Multiple frequency entrainment regions are observed as a result of the wide tuneability of the natural frequency of the thermal/free-carrier self-pulsing and the comb nature of the optical forces. The thermal/free-carrier self-pulsing oscillates robustly at frequencies that are simple fractions of that of the coherent mechanical motion. The different entrainment regions are accessed by simply tuning the wavelength of the input light.
