Cavity Optomechanics is a branch of physics which focuses on the interaction between light and mechanical objects on low-energy scales. It is a cross field of optics, quantum optics, solid-state physics and materials science. Years before cavity optomechanics gained the status of an independent field of research, many of its techniques were already used in gravitational wave detectors where it is necessary to measure displacements of mirrors on the order of the Planck scale. Even these detectors do not address the measurement of quantum effects. They encounter related issues (photon shot noise) and use similar tricks (squeezed coherent states) to enhance the precision. Further applications include the development of quantum memory for quantum computers, high precision sensors (e.g. acceleration sensors) and quantum transducers e.g. between the optical and the microwave domain (taking advantage of the fact that the mechanical oscillator can easily couple with both frequency regimes).

Nithya N Prabhu

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