Fiber-Cavity-Based Optomechanical Device

TL;DR

This paper introduces a fiber-cavity optomechanical device with a silicon nitride membrane that offers enhanced coupling, compactness, and ease of use, promising advancements in quantum measurements and cryogenic applications.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel fiber-cavity optomechanical device with improved coupling and alignment, simplifying integration and operation in cryogenic environments.

Findings

Increased linear coupling to 3 GHz/nm

Quadratic coupling of 20 GHz/nm^2

Potential to detect radiation pressure shot noise at room temperature

Abstract

We describe an optomechanical device consisting of a fiber-based optical cavity containing a silicon nitiride membrane. In comparison with typical free-space cavities, the fiber-cavity's small mode size (10 {\mu}m waist, 80 {\mu}m length) allows the use of smaller, lighter membranes and increases the cavity-membrane linear coupling to 3 GHz/nm and quadratic coupling to 20 GHz/nm^2. This device is also intrinsically fiber-coupled and uses glass ferrules for passive alignment. These improvements will greatly simplify the use of optomechanical systems, particularly in cryogenic settings. At room temperature, we expect these devices to be able to detect the shot noise of radiation pressure.