Realization of an optomechanical interface between ultracold atoms and a membrane

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a hybrid system where ultracold atoms are coupled to a micromechanical membrane via an optical lattice, enabling bidirectional control and dissipation engineering of the membrane.

Contribution

First realization of an optomechanical interface between ultracold atoms and a membrane using an optical lattice for coupling.

Findings

Observed membrane vibrations affecting atomic motion

Detected atomic backaction on membrane

Engineered membrane dissipation rate through atomic coupling

Abstract

We have realized a hybrid optomechanical system by coupling ultracold atoms to a micromechanical membrane. The atoms are trapped in an optical lattice, which is formed by retro-reflection of a laser beam from the membrane surface. In this setup, the lattice laser light mediates an optomechanical coupling between membrane vibrations and atomic center-of-mass motion. We observe both the effect of the membrane vibrations onto the atoms as well as the backaction of the atomic motion onto the membrane. By coupling the membrane to laser-cooled atoms, we engineer the dissipation rate of the membrane. Our observations agree quantitatively with a simple model.