title: Fluctuating nanomechanical system in a high finesse optical microcavity.
abstract: The idea of extending cavity quantum electrodynamics experiments to sub-wavelength sized nanomechanical systems has been recently proposed in the context of optical cavity cooling and optomechanics of deformable cavities. Here we present an experiment involving a single nanorod consisting of about 10(9) atoms precisely positioned into the confined mode of a miniature high finesse Fabry-Pérot microcavity. We show that the optical transmission of the cavity is affected not only by the static position of the nanorod but also by its vibrational fluctuation. The Brownian motion of the nanorod is resolved with a displacement sensitivity of 200 fm/square root Hz at room temperature. Besides a broad range of sensing applications, cavity-induced manipulation of optomechanical nanosystems and back-action is anticipated.
authors: Fakultät für Physik and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Geschwister Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 München, Germany. ivan.favero@univ-paris-diderot.fr
authors: Ivan
authors: I
authors: Favero
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Stapfner
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Hunger
authors: Philipp
authors: P
authors: Paulitschke
authors: Jakob
authors: J
authors: Reichel
authors: Heribert
authors: H
authors: Lorenz
authors: Eva M
authors: EM
authors: Weig
authors: Khaled
authors: K
authors: Karrai
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D007368:Interferometry / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers; D008872:Microwaves; D015233:Models, Statistical; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000379:methods; D010825:Physics / Q000379:methods; D013696:Temperature