Self-referenced opto-mechanical oscillator

Abstract

We propose a method for frequency stabilization of a resonant opto-mechanical oscillator utilizing the different temperature and strain dependence of the optical and mechanical modes. In particular, we show that the temperature of the mechanical resonator can be stabilized to microKelvin level without the need for an external temperature or frequency reference. The method is promising for reaching the thermodynamically limited performance of opto-mechanical oscillators, and even for lifting the thermodynamic limit.