Observation of generalized optomechanical coupling and cooling on cavity resonance

TL;DR

This paper experimentally demonstrates strong dissipative optomechanical cooling on cavity resonance using a macroscopic SiN membrane, opening new avenues for macroscopic quantum physics and gravitational wave detection.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental realization of dissipative optomechanical cooling on cavity resonance with a macroscopic membrane, confirming theoretical predictions.

Findings

Achieved strong dissipative cooling on cavity resonance

Confirmed experimental results align with theoretical models

Enabled new regimes for quantum physics and GW detection

Abstract

Optomechanical coupling between a light field and the motion of a cavity mirror via radiation pressure plays an important role for the exploration of macroscopic quantum physics and for the detection of gravitational waves (GWs). It has been used to cool mechanical oscillators into their quantum ground states and has been considered to boost the sensitivity of GW detectors, e.g. via the optical spring effect. Here, we present the experimental characterization of generalized, that is, dispersive and dissipative optomechanical coupling, with a macroscopic (1.5mm)^2-sized silicon nitride (SiN) membrane in a cavity-enhanced Michelson-type interferometer. We report for the first time strong optomechanical cooling based on dissipative coupling, even on cavity resonance, in excellent agreement with theory. Our result will allow for new experimental regimes in macroscopic quantum physics and GW detection.