Abstract

The realization of optical resonators with high optical and mechanical quality factors Q has enabled strong interaction between light and the mechanical degrees of freedom of macroscopic objects, thereby giving rise to a new field of cavity optomechanics. High optical Q allows large circulating optical powers, with radiation pressure induced optomechanical coupling enabling a range of interactions such as regenerative mechanical oscillation, and direct optical driving of the mechanical modes. These capabilities have opened up new and exciting research areas such as laser cooling of macroscopic scale resonators [1].

© 2009 IEEE