Session X36: Advances in Instrumentation and Measurements

8:00 AM–11:00 AM, Friday, March 14, 2008
Morial Convention Center Room: 228

Chair: Charles Agosta, Clark University

Abstract ID: BAPS.2008.MAR.X36.6

Abstract: X36.00006 : High quality optical and mechanical properties of a dispersive optomechanical device

9:00 AM–9:12 AM

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Authors:

Andrew Jayich
(Yale University)

Benjamin Zwickl
(Yale University)

Cheng Yang
(Yale University)

Jack Harris
(Yale University)

We have characterized the optical and mechanical properties of a high finesse Fabry Perot cavity (F=17,000) dispersively coupled to a micromechanical SiN$_{x}$ membrane. The membrane's fundamental and higher-order vibrational modes show quality factors above 10\^{}6 and a spectrum corresponding to a simple drumhead model. The optical cavity's transverse and longitudinal spectrum is also in agreement with theory. We find that the cavity's full transmission and reflection properties can be modeled quantitatively once the membrane's small optical loss is accounted for. We will discuss the role of avoided crossings between higher-order optical modes in this system, particularly within the context of potential QND measurements of micromechanical devices.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2008.MAR.X36.6