Quantum optomechanics with a high-frequency dilational mode in thin dielectric membranes

The interaction between a high-frequency dilational mode of a thin dielectric film and an optical cavity field is studied theoretically in the membrane-in-the-middle setup. A derivation from first principles leads to a multi-mode optomechanical Hamiltonian where multiple cavity modes are coupled by...

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Main Authors: K Børkje, S M Girvin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2012-01-01
Series:New Journal of Physics
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/14/8/085016
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author K Børkje
S M Girvin
author_facet K Børkje
S M Girvin
author_sort K Børkje
collection DOAJ
description The interaction between a high-frequency dilational mode of a thin dielectric film and an optical cavity field is studied theoretically in the membrane-in-the-middle setup. A derivation from first principles leads to a multi-mode optomechanical Hamiltonian where multiple cavity modes are coupled by the thickness variation of the membrane. For membrane thicknesses of the order of 1  μ m, the frequency of this dilational mode is in the GHz range. This can be matched to the free spectral range of the optical cavity, such that the mechanical oscillator will resonantly couple cavity modes at different frequencies. Furthermore, such a large mechanical frequency also means that the quantum ground state of motion can be reached with conventional refrigeration techniques. Estimation of the coupling strength with realistic parameters suggests that optomechanical effects can be observable with this dilational mode. It is shown how this system can be used as a quantum limited optical amplifier. The dilational motion can also lead to quantum correlations between cavity modes at different frequencies, which is quantified with an experimentally accessible two-mode squeezing spectrum. Finally, an explicit signature of radiation pressure shot noise in this system is identified.
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spelling doaj.art-673380420be149c38c76c225bace87a32023-08-08T11:11:37ZengIOP PublishingNew Journal of Physics1367-26302012-01-0114808501610.1088/1367-2630/14/8/085016Quantum optomechanics with a high-frequency dilational mode in thin dielectric membranesK Børkje0S M Girvin1Departments of Physics and Applied Physics, Yale University , New Haven, CT 06520, USADepartments of Physics and Applied Physics, Yale University , New Haven, CT 06520, USAThe interaction between a high-frequency dilational mode of a thin dielectric film and an optical cavity field is studied theoretically in the membrane-in-the-middle setup. A derivation from first principles leads to a multi-mode optomechanical Hamiltonian where multiple cavity modes are coupled by the thickness variation of the membrane. For membrane thicknesses of the order of 1  μ m, the frequency of this dilational mode is in the GHz range. This can be matched to the free spectral range of the optical cavity, such that the mechanical oscillator will resonantly couple cavity modes at different frequencies. Furthermore, such a large mechanical frequency also means that the quantum ground state of motion can be reached with conventional refrigeration techniques. Estimation of the coupling strength with realistic parameters suggests that optomechanical effects can be observable with this dilational mode. It is shown how this system can be used as a quantum limited optical amplifier. The dilational motion can also lead to quantum correlations between cavity modes at different frequencies, which is quantified with an experimentally accessible two-mode squeezing spectrum. Finally, an explicit signature of radiation pressure shot noise in this system is identified.https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/14/8/085016
spellingShingle K Børkje
S M Girvin
Quantum optomechanics with a high-frequency dilational mode in thin dielectric membranes
New Journal of Physics
title Quantum optomechanics with a high-frequency dilational mode in thin dielectric membranes
title_full Quantum optomechanics with a high-frequency dilational mode in thin dielectric membranes
title_fullStr Quantum optomechanics with a high-frequency dilational mode in thin dielectric membranes
title_full_unstemmed Quantum optomechanics with a high-frequency dilational mode in thin dielectric membranes
title_short Quantum optomechanics with a high-frequency dilational mode in thin dielectric membranes
title_sort quantum optomechanics with a high frequency dilational mode in thin dielectric membranes
url https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/14/8/085016
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