A novel nanophotonic platform for optomechanics in the strong coupling regime

We describe the realization of a novel microtoroidal resonator for optomechanics in the strong coupling regime. Owing to its design and material properties, the microresonator exhibits low mechanical and optical dissipation leading to strong interactions between its mechanical and optical whispering gallery modes. In addition to the conventional optomechanical control via a nanofiber interface, this device also enables the strong coupling between nanomechanical motion and the collective spin of an ultracold atomic gas. We describe the fabrication and characterization of this device and discuss prospects of beyond-SQL rotation sensing and optical synchronization of the resonator to a microwave transition of the ultracold gas.