Free-space cavity optomechanics in a cryogenic environment

We present a free-space optomechanical system operating in the 1-K range. The device is made of a high mechanical quality factor micropillar with a high-reflectivity optical coating atop, combined with an ultra-small radius-of-curvature coupling mirror to form a high-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity embedded in a dilution refrigerator. The cavity environment as well as the cryostat have been designed to ensure low vibrations and to preserve micron-level alignment from room temperature down to 100 mK. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.