arXiv · 1110.6292
Cavity nano-optomechanics: a nanomechanical system in a high finesse optical cavity
Abstract
The coupling of mechanical oscillators with light has seen a recent surge of interest, as recent reviews report.[1, 2] This coupling is enhanced when confining light in an optical cavity where the mechanical oscillator is integrated as back- mirror or movable wall. At the nano-scale, the optomechanical coupling increases further thanks to a smaller optomechanical interaction volume and reduced mass of the mechanical oscillator. In view of realizing such cavity nano- optomechanics experiments, a scheme was proposed where a sub-wavelength sized nanomechanical oscillator is coupled to a high finesse optical microcavity.[3] Here we present such an experiment involving a single nanomechanical rod precisely positioned into the confined mode of a miniature Fabry-Pérot cavity.[4] We describe the employed stabilized cavity set-up and related finesse measurements. We proceed characterizing the nanorod vibration properties using ultrasonic piezo-actuation methods. Using the optical cavity as a transducer of nanomechanical motion, we monitor optically the piezo-driven nanorod vibration. On top of extending cavity quantum electrodynamics concepts to nanomechanical systems, cavity nano-optomechanics should advance into precision displacement measurements near the standard quantum limit [5], investigation of mechanical systems in their quantum regime, non-linear dynamics [6] and sensing applications.
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Sebastian Stapfner, Ivan Favero, David Hunger, Philipp Paulitschke, Jakob Reichel, Khaled Karrai, Eva M. Weig. 2011-10-28. Cavity nano-optomechanics: a nanomechanical system in a high finesse optical cavity. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.705901
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