Optomechanical Systems as Single Photon Routers

TL;DR

This paper proposes a theoretical method for using nano mechanical optomechanical systems as single photon routers, leveraging EIT to achieve low-power switching with minimal noise impact.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to single photon routing using cavity optomechanics and EIT, with detailed noise analysis and performance estimates.

Findings

Single photon switch can operate with microwatt power levels.

Thermal noise has minimal impact at very low temperatures.

Optimal performance is maintained with only slight deterioration at 20 mK.

Abstract

We demonstrate theoretically the possibility of using nano mechanical systems as single photon routers. We show how EIT in cavity optomechanical systems can be used to produce a switch for a probe field in a single photon Fock state using very low pumping powers of few microwatt. We present estimates of vacuum and thermal noise and show the optimal performance of the single photon switch is deteriorated by only few percent even at temperatures of the order of 20 mK.