Cavity Optomechanics

Laser cooling of atoms uses radiation forces of light to push on atoms, and has revolutionized atomic physics.  In our work, in a field known as optomechanics, we now have the capacity to cool vibrations of mesoscopic objects using radiation pressure combined with cryogenic cooling.  We pick out particular nanomechanical modes of the solid that are well-isolated from their environment, and that we can control with light using an extremely-precise optical cavity.