Laser phase noise effects on the dynamics of optomechanical resonators

TL;DR

This paper theoretically analyzes how laser phase noise impacts the cooling and heating of optomechanical resonators, finding that narrow linewidths do not hinder ground state cooling but broader linewidths affect back-action evasion.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical framework for understanding laser phase noise effects on optomechanical systems and evaluates the practicality of back-action evasion techniques.

Findings

Laser phase noise does not significantly limit ground state cooling with narrow linewidths.

Broader laser linewidths hinder the effectiveness of back-action evasion schemes.

Narrow linewidth lasers are suitable for quantum control in optomechanical experiments.

Abstract

We investigate theoretically the influence of laser phase noise on the cooling and heating of a generic cavity optomechanical system. We derive the back-action damping and heating rates and the mechanical frequency shift of the radiation pressure-driven oscillating mirror, and derive the minimum phonon occupation number for small laser linewidths. We find that in practice laser phase noise does not pose serious limitations to ground state cooling. We then consider the effects of laser phase noise in a parametric cavity driving scheme that minimizes the back-action heating of one of the quadratures of the mechanical oscillator motion. Laser linewidths narrow compared to the decay rate of the cavity field will not pose any problems in an experimental setting, but broader linewidths limit the practicality of this back-action evasion method.