Amplitude and phase noise in two-membrane cavity optomechanics

Abstract

Cavity optomechanics is a suitable field to explore quantum effects on macroscopic objects and develop quantum technology applications. A perfect control of the laser noise is required to operate the system in such extreme conditions necessary to reach the quantum regime. In this paper, we consider a Fabry–Perót cavity, driven by two laser fields, with two partially reflective SiN membranes inside it. We describe the effects of amplitude and phase noise on the laser introducing two additional noise terms in the Langevin equations of the system’s dynamics. Experimentally, we add an artificial source of noise on the laser. We calibrate the intensity of the noise, inject it into the system, and check the validity of the theoretical model. This procedure provides an accurate description of the effects of a noisy laser in the optomechanical setup and allows for quantifying the amount of noise.