Qantum theory of optomechanical cooling

TL;DR

This paper reviews the quantum theory of optomechanical cooling, highlighting the importance of the sideband-resolved and strong coupling regimes in achieving ground state cooling of mechanical oscillators.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the quantum mechanisms behind optomechanical cooling and discusses recent experimental advancements and theoretical regimes.

Findings

Cooling factors up to 10^5 achieved experimentally

Ground state cooling is approaching feasibility

Strong coupling regime enables hybridization of cavity and mechanical modes

Abstract

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.