Quantum theory of optomechanical cooling

• Published in: Journal of modern optics Vol. 55; no. 19-20; pp. 3329 - 3338
• Main Authors: Marquardt, Florian, Clerk, A.A., Girvin, S.M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 10.11.2008; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: cavity QED; Cavity quantum electrodynamics ; micromasers; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Mechanical instruments, equipment and techniques; Micromechanical devices and systems; micromechanics; Optics; optomechanics; Physics; Quantum optics; radiation pressure; sideband cooling; Micromechanics; Cooling; Ground states; Quantum electrodynamics; Optical resonators; Cavity electrodynamics; Quantum optics; Quantum noise; Optical forces; Radiation pressure; Quantum theory
• DOI: 10.1080/09500340802454971
• ISSN: 0950-0340

We review the quantum theory of cooling of a mechanical oscillator subject to the radiation pressure force due to light circulating inside a driven optical cavity. Such optomechanical setups have been used recently in a series of experiments by various groups to cool mechanical oscillators (such as cantilevers) by factors reaching 10 5 , and they may soon go to the ground state of mechanical motion. We emphasize the importance of the sideband-resolved regime for ground state cooling, where the cavity ring-down rate is smaller than the mechanical frequency. Moreover, we illustrate the strong coupling regime, where the cooling rate exceeds the cavity ring-down rate and where the driven cavity resonance and the mechanical oscillation hybridize.