Optomechanical backaction amplifier near threshold

Abstract

Here we use the parametric instability induced by radiation pressure in ultra high Q optical microcavities to produce large amplification [1] and suppression of small signals near the mechanical resonance frequency in the sub threshold regime for the first time. The amplification increases as the laser power approaches threshold for parametric instability with amplification of 22 dB observed close to threshold with an input power of only 6 μ W. The cavities are lithographically fabricated with the technology having potential applications as an amplifier or a notch filter component to remove narrowband radio-frequency (RF) optical noise. Show more