Thermo-optical bistability in silicon micro-cantilevers

We report a thermo-optical bistability observed in silicon micro-cantilevers irradiated by laser beam with mW powers: reflectivity, transmissivity, absorption, and temperature can change factor of two between stable states for the same input power. The dependency absorption at origin results from interferences internal reflections cantilever thickness, acting as lossy Fabry-P\'erot cavity. A theoretical model describing coupling is presented. experimental obtained cantilevers vacuum different visible wavelengths are quantitative agreement predictions this model.