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Free keywords:
Quantum Physics, quant-ph, Condensed Matter, Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics, cond-mat.mes-hall,General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology, gr-qc, Physics, Optics, physics.optics
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.
