Scheme to Probe Optomechanical Correlations between Two Optical Beams Down to the Quantum Level

Abstract

The quantum effects of radiation pressure are expected to limit the sensitivity of second-generation gravitational-wave interferometers. Though ubiquitous, such effects are so weak that they have not been experimentally demonstrated yet. Using a high-finesse optical cavity and a classical intensity noise, we have demonstrated radiation-pressure induced correlations between two optical beams sent into the same moving mirror cavity. Our scheme can be used to retrieve weak correlations at the quantum level and has applications both in high-sensitivity measurements and in quantum optics.

Cavity-mediated coupling of mechanical oscillators limited by quantum back-action

“…We observe the quantum back-action noise imparted by the optical coupling resulting in correlated mechanical fluctuations of the two oscillators. Our results illustrate challenges and opportunities of coupling quantum objects with light for applications of quantum cavity optomechanics [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] .…”

“…We observe the quantum back-action noise imparted by the optical coupling resulting in correlated mechanical fluctuations of the two oscillators. Our results illustrate challenges and opportunities of coupling quantum objects with light for applications of quantum cavity optomechanics [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] .Cavity optomechanical systems comprised of a single mechanical oscillator interacting with a single electromagnetic cavity mode 15 serve useful quantum-mechanical functions, such as generating squeezed light [16][17][18] , detecting forces with quantum-limited sensitivity 19 or through back-action-evading measurement 20 , and both entangling and amplifying mechanical and optical modes 21 . Systems containing several mechanical elements offer additional capabilities.…”

Cavity optomechanics with ultrahigh-Qcrystalline microresonators

“…Implemented at a mesoscopic scale ( 1 cm), micro-and nano-scale physical systems coupling optical and mechanical degrees of freedom may allow studying optomechanical coupling at the quantum level [1,2]. In particular, recent experiments have aimed towards the observation of measurement quantum backaction [4,5] and radiation-pressure cooling of a mesoscopic mechanical oscillator to its quantum ground state [6][7][8]. However, inevitable coupling of the system to its environment severely impedes such studies.…”

“…However, inevitable coupling of the system to its environment severely impedes such studies. For example, thermal fluctuations associated with mechanical dissipation mask the signatures of quantum backaction [3][4][5], but also constitute a mechanism competing with radiation-pressure cooling [6][7][8]. Optical losses, on the other hand, destroy potential quantum correlations [4], give rise to heating due to the absorbed photons [6], and preclude reaching the important resolved-sideband regime [9].…”

“…For example, thermal fluctuations associated with mechanical dissipation mask the signatures of quantum backaction [3][4][5], but also constitute a mechanism competing with radiation-pressure cooling [6][7][8]. Optical losses, on the other hand, destroy potential quantum correlations [4], give rise to heating due to the absorbed photons [6], and preclude reaching the important resolved-sideband regime [9]. Most of the various optomechanical systems investigated recently are based on amorphous material such as SiO 2 [9,10] or Si 3 N 4 [8,11,12].…”