Linear Amplifier Model for Optomechanical Systems

TL;DR

This paper models optomechanical systems as linear optical amplifiers, unifying various phenomena, analyzing quantum limits on force sensing, and relating squeezing to transparency.

Contribution

It introduces a linear amplifier model for optomechanical systems, linking phenomena and establishing quantum limits on force detection.

Findings

Maximum on-resonance sensitivity is an absolute upper limit.

The amplifier model unifies diverse optomechanical effects.

Results extend to systems with losses and detection inefficiencies.

Abstract

We model optomechanical systems as linear optical amplifiers. This provides a unified treatment of diverse optomechanical phenomena. We emphasize, in particular, the relationship between ponderomotive squeezing and optomechanically induced transparency, two foci of current research. We characterize the amplifier response to quantum and deliberately applied fluctuations, both optical and mechanical. Further, we apply these results to establish quantum limits on external force sensing both on and off cavity resonance. We find that the maximum sensitivity attained on resonance constitutes an absolute upper limit, not surpassed when detuning off cavity resonance. The theory can be extended to a two-sided cavity with losses and limited detection efficiency.