Dissipative Optomechanics in a Michelson--Sagnac Interferometer

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel optomechanical system using a Michelson--Sagnac interferometer that enables strong, tunable dissipative coupling, leading to enhanced cooling and quantum effects in the optical domain.

Contribution

It introduces a new realization of dissipative optomechanics with a Michelson--Sagnac interferometer, allowing for strong, tunable coupling and potential observation of fundamental quantum phenomena.

Findings

Enables ground-state cooling with state-of-the-art parameters

Achieves low-power quantum-limited position transduction

Suppresses lower motional sideband via quantum interference

Abstract

Dissipative optomechanics studies the coupling of the motion of an optical element to the decay rate of a cavity. We propose and theoretically explore a realization of this system in the optical domain, using a combined Michelson--Sagnac interferometer, which enables a strong and tunable dissipative coupling. Quantum interference in such a setup results in the suppression of the lower motional sideband, leading to strongly enhanced cooling in the non-sideband-resolved regime. With state-of-the-art parameters, ground-state cooling and low-power quantum-limited position transduction are both possible. The possibility of a strong and tunable dissipative coupling opens up a new route towards observation of fundamental optomechanical effects such as ponderomotive squeezing or nonlinear dynamics. Beyond optomechanics, the method suggested here can be readily transferred to other setups involving such systems as nonlinear media, atomic ensembles, or single atoms.