Microwave single-tone optomechanics in the classical regime

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates classical optomechanical phenomena in a microwave system using a single-tone approach, with results matching classical theory and proposing a new method for loss measurement.

Contribution

It provides the first quantitative classical demonstration of optomechanics with single-tone microwave techniques and introduces a simple loss ratio measurement method.

Findings

Observation of sideband asymmetry in classical regime

No fitting parameters needed for theoretical agreement

Proposed method for measuring microwave loss ratios

Abstract

We report on the quantitative experimental illustration of elementary optomechanics within the classical regime. All measurements are performed in a commercial dilution refrigerator on a mesoscopic drumhead aluminium resonator strongly coupled to a microwave cavity, using only strict single-tone schemes. Sideband asymmetry is reported using in-cavity microwave pumping, along with noise squashing and back-action effects. Results presented in this paper are analysed within the simple classical electric circuit theory, emphasizing the analogous nature of classical features with respect to their usual quantum description. The agreement with theory is obtained with no fitting parameters. Besides, based on those results a simple method is proposed for the accurate measurement of the ratio between microwave internal losses and external coupling.