Cavity optomechanics in deep nonlinear and far-from-equilibrium regimes

Synopsis

Cavity optomechanics enables ultrasensitive measurements of thermal fluctuations and functional nonlinear control of mechanical motion supported by ultrahigh-Q optical cavities. These properties make optomechanical systems well suited as a tabletop experimental platform for exploring many-body physics, particularly in the deeply nonlinear and far-from-equilibrium regime. However, conventional device architectures still face challenges in (1) scaling up toward larger many-body systems and (2) extending optomechanical concepts to liquid-based vibrational systems, where richer nonequilibrium dynamics are expected to emerge.

In this talk, we introduce our unique one-dimensional optomechanical array based on whispering-gallery-mode optical microbottle resonators [1], which is applicable to a wide variety of solid- and liquid-based environments [2]. After reviewing the fundamental properties of the platform, we will highlight recent progress in (1) optically tailorable synthesis of phase synchronization [3], nonlinear damping [4], and high-dimensional chaos in mechanical oscillators, and (2) cavity optomechanics toward both classical and quantum fluids.

[1] M. Asano, H. Yamaguchi, and H. Okamoto, Phys. Rev. Applied 21, 024013 (2024).
[2] M. Asano, H. Yamaguchi, and H. Okamoto, Sci. Adv. 8, eabq2502 (2022).
[3] M. Asano, H. Okamoto, and H. Yamaguchi, Sci. Adv. 11, eady4167 (2025).
[4] H. Arahari, M. Asano (co-first) et al., arXiv:2602.06559 (2026).