Cavity optomechanics with a laser-engineered optical trap

Laser-engineered exciton-polariton networks could lead to dynamically configurable integrated optical circuitry and quantum devices. Combining cavity optomechanics with electrodynamics in laser-configurable hybrid designs constitutes a platform for the vibrational control, conversion, and transport of signals. With this aim we investigate three-dimensional optical traps laser induced in quantum well embedded semiconductor planar microcavities. We show that the laser-generated and -controlled discrete states of the traps dramatically modify the interaction between photons and phonons confined in the resonators, accessing through coupling of photoelastic origin (g(0)/2 pi similar to 1.8 MHz) an optomechanical cooperativity C > 1 for milliwatt excitation. The quenching of Stokes processes and double-resonant enhancement of anti-Stokes ones involving pairs of discrete optical states in the sideband-resolved regime allow the optomechanical cooling of 180-GHz bulk acoustic waves, starting from room temperature down to similar to 130 K. These results pave the way for dynamical tailoring of optomechanical actuation in the extremely high frequency range (30-300 GHz) for future network and quantum technologies.

Automated summary

Laser-engineered exciton-polariton networks have the potential to create integrated optical circuitry and quantum devices. By combining cavity optomechanics with electrodynamics, laser-configurable designs can control and transport signals through vibrational mechanisms. This research has shown that laser-generated discrete states can greatly modify the interaction between photons and phonons, leading to optomechanical cooperativity and potential applications in future network and quantum technologies.