Abstract

Quantum mechanics is a profoundly successful theory; enabling both the description of microscopic phenomena with exquisite precision, and important new physical technologies. However, the observation and manipulation of quantum properties of macroscopic systems is notoriously difficult. Recently, due to the development of new nanofabrication techniques and a series of ground-breaking experiments it has become apparent that this regime may be realisable in cavity opto-mechanical systems where a complex dynamical interaction is achieved between optical and mechanical degrees of freedom via radiation pressure.