Optical self cooling of a deformable Fabry-Perot cavity in the classical limit

摘要

We investigated the optomechanical properties of a Fabry-Perot cavity with a mirror mounted on a spring. Such a structure allows the cavity length to change elastically under the effect of light-induced forces. This optomechanical coupling is exploited to control the amplitude of the mechanical fluctuation of the mirror, a situation referred to as optical self cooling or passive optical cooling. We present a model developed in the classical limit and discuss data obtained in the particular case in which photothermal forces are dominant.