title: Realization of an optomechanical interface between ultracold atoms and a membrane.
abstract: We have realized a hybrid optomechanical system by coupling ultracold atoms to a micromechanical membrane. The atoms are trapped in an optical lattice, which is formed by retroreflection of a laser beam from the membrane surface. In this setup, the lattice laser light mediates an optomechanical coupling between membrane vibrations and atomic center-of-mass motion. We observe both the effect of the membrane vibrations onto the atoms as well as the backaction of the atomic motion onto the membrane. By coupling the membrane to laser-cooled atoms, we engineer the dissipation rate of the membrane. Our observations agree quantitatively with a simple model.
authors.affiliation: Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Schellingstraße 4, 80799 München, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Camerer
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korppi
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jöckel
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hunger
authors.forename: Theodor W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Hänsch
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Treutlein