Optomechanically Induced Transparency in the Nonlinear Quantum Regime

TL;DR

This paper explores optomechanically induced transparency in the nonlinear quantum regime, demonstrating pulse switching and potential for detecting quantum nonlinear effects at low photon levels.

Contribution

It investigates the nonlinear quantum regime of optomechanical systems, revealing pulse switching capabilities and a method to observe quantum nonlinear effects at low photon couplings.

Findings

Pulse transistor-like switching persists in the nonlinear quantum regime.

Second mechanical sideband transparency can indicate quantum nonlinear effects.

Detection possible at single-photon coupling strengths below cavity linewidth.

Abstract

Optomechanical systems have been shown both theoretically and experimentally to exhibit an analogon to atomic electromagnetically induced transparency, with sharp transmission features that are controlled by a second laser beam. Here we investigate these effects in the regime where the fundamental nonlinear nature of the optomechanical interaction becomes important. We demonstrate that pulsed transistor-like switching of transmission still works even in this regime. We also show that optomechanically induced transparency at the second mechanical sideband could be a sensitive tool to see first indications of the nonlinear quantum nature of the optomechanical interaction even for single-photon coupling strengths significantly smaller than the cavity linewidth.