Controlling Multimode Optomechanical Interactions via Interference

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how optomechanical interference can control interactions in a multimode system, enabling suppression or enhancement of mechanical damping through phase-dependent coupling, advancing control over light-mechanical interactions.

Contribution

It introduces a phase-dependent excitation-coupling method to observe and manipulate optomechanical interference in multimode systems, a novel control technique.

Findings

Destructive interference suppresses mechanical damping.

Constructive interference enhances optomechanical coupling.

Phase control enables tunable interaction strength.

Abstract

We demonstrate optomechanical interference in a multimode system, in which an optical mode couples to two mechanical modes. A phase-dependent excitation-coupling approach is developed, which enables the observation of constructive and destructive optomechanical interferences. The destructive interference prevents the coupling of the mechanical system to the optical mode, suppressing optically-induced mechanical damping. These studies establish optomechanical interference as an essential tool for controlling the interactions between light and mechanical oscillators.