From Cavity Electromechanics to Cavity Optomechanics

TL;DR

This paper reviews experimental advances in integrating high-quality mesoscopic mechanical oscillators with microwave and optical cavities, highlighting their potential for quantum applications across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Contribution

It provides an overview of recent experimental progress in cavity electromechanics and optomechanics, emphasizing the emergence of mesoscopic mechanical oscillators as quantum resources.

Findings

High-Q mesoscopic oscillators can be embedded in cavities

Progress suggests a broad field of cavity quantum mechanics

Potential for quantum control of mechanical motion

Abstract

We present an overview of experimental work to embed high-Q mesoscopic mechanical oscillators in microwave and optical cavities. Based upon recent progress, the prospect for a broad field of "cavity quantum mechanics" is very real. These systems introduce mesoscopic mechanical oscillators as a new quantum resource and also inherently couple their motion to photons throughout the electromagnetic spectrum.