We review the field of cavity optomechanics, which explores the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and nano- or micromechanical motion This review covers the basics of optical cavities and mechanical resonators, their mutual optomechanical interaction mediated by the radiation pressure force, the large variety of experimental systems which exhibit this interaction, optical measurements of mechanical motion, dynamical backaction amplification and cooling, nonlinear dynamics, multimode optomechanics, and proposals for future cavity quantum optomechanics experiments In addition, we describe the perspectives for fundamental quantum physics and for possible applications of optomechanical devices

Cavity Optomechanics

1. Introduction 2. Theoretical foundations 3. Propagation and focusing of optical fields 4. Spatial resolution and position accuracy 5. Nanoscale optical microscopy 6. Near-field optical probes 7. Probe-sample distance control 8. Light emission and optical interaction in nanoscale environments 9. Quantum emitters 10. Dipole emission near planar interfaces 11. Photonic crystals and resonators 12. Surface plasmons 13. Forces in confined fields 14. Fluctuation-induced phenomena 15. Theoretical methods in nano-optics Appendices Index.

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Principles of nano-optics

Gold nanoparticles have been used in biomedical applications since their first colloidal syntheses more than three centuries ago. However, over the past two decades, their beautiful colors and unique electronic properties have also attracted tremendous attention due to their historical applications in art and ancient medicine and current applications in enhanced optoelectronics and photovoltaics. In spite of their modest alchemical beginnings, gold nanoparticles exhibit physical properties that are truly different from both small molecules and bulk materials, as well as from other nanoscale particles. Their unique combination of properties is just beginning to be fully realized in range of medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. This critical review will provide insights into the design, synthesis, functionalization, and applications of these artificial molecules in biomedicine and discuss their tailored interactions with biological systems to achieve improved patient health. Further, we provide a survey of the rapidly expanding body of literature on this topic and argue that gold nanotechnology-enabled biomedicine is not simply an act of ‘gilding the (nanomedicinal) lily’, but that a new ‘Golden Age’ of biomedical nanotechnology is truly upon us. Moving forward, the most challenging nanoscience ahead of us will be to find new chemical and physical methods of functionalizing gold nanoparticles with compounds that can promote efficient binding, clearance, and biocompatibility and to assess their safety to other biological systems and their long-term term effects on human health and reproduction (472 references).

The golden age: gold nanoparticles for biomedicine

We present the science and technology roadmap for graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems, targeting an evolution in technology, that might lead to impacts and benefits reaching into most areas of society. This roadmap was developed within the framework of the European Graphene Flagship and outlines the main targets and research areas as best understood at the start of this ambitious project. We provide an overview of the key aspects of graphene and related materials (GRMs), ranging from fundamental research challenges to a variety of applications in a large number of sectors, highlighting the steps necessary to take GRMs from a state of raw potential to a point where they might revolutionize multiple industries. We also define an extensive list of acronyms in an effort to standardize the nomenclature in this emerging field.

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Science and technology roadmap for graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems

Modern nanotechnology allows one to scale down various important devices (sensors, chips, fibers, etc.) and thus opens up new horizons for their applications. The efficiency of most of them is based on fundamental physical phenomena, such as transport of wave excitations and resonances. Short propagation distances make phase-coherent processes of waves important. Often the scattering of waves involves propagation along different paths and, as a consequence, results in interference phenomena, where constructive interference corresponds to resonant enhancement and destructive interference to resonant suppression of the transmission. Recently, a variety of experimental and theoretical work has revealed such patterns in different physical settings. The purpose of this review is to relate resonant scattering to Fano resonances, known from atomic physics. One of the main features of the Fano resonance is its asymmetric line profile. The asymmetry originates from a close coexistence of resonant transmission and resonant reflection and can be reduced to the interaction of a discrete (localized) state with a continuum of propagation modes. The basic concepts of Fano resonances are introduced, their geometrical and/or dynamical origin are explained, and theoretical and experimental studies of light propagation in photonic devices, charge transport through quantum dots, plasmon scattering in Josephson-junction networks, and matter-wave scattering in ultracold atom systems, among others are reviewed.

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Fano resonances in nanoscale structures

We review the optics of negatively charged excitons in self assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots. The charging state of a quantum dot was tuned electrostatically in a field effect structure. We investigated in this way the neutral exciton as well as the negatively singly, doubly and triply charged excitons, namely the X0, X1–, X2– and X3– excitons. A Zeeman splitting and a diamagnetic shift in the photoluminescence emission line is clearly observed for X0, X1– and X2– exciton as a function of magnetic field. In contrast the triply negatively charged exciton shows a completely different magnetic behaviour. Here, under the influence of a high magnetic field, the quantum dot electronic states are found to be hybridized with the continuum of states in the wetting layer. Such a hybridization turns out to be induced by photon emission of the X3– exciton. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Electronic quantum dot states induced through photon emission

The invention relates to a method for the production of a probe tip (10) for optical examinations, particularly for near-field optical microscopy, having a desired aperture, wherein at least one optically transparent intermediate layer (14) is provided in a light conducting fiber (12) with a peripheral surface (12c) tapering towards the free end thereof between said peripheral surface (12c) and an optically non-transparent layer (18/20) that is applied on said peripheral surface (12c). The thickness of the intermediate layer is chosen depending on the desired aperture. This makes it possible to produce probe tips (10) using a simple and scalable method.

Method for the production of a probe tip, particularly for near-field optical microscopy, having a desired aperture

. We present a novel method by wich excitonic interband optical transitions within single InAs self-assembled quantum dots can be directly observed in a transmission experiment. Due to the extremely high resolution of the tecnique, individual peaks associated to single exciton absorption resonances in single quantum dots can be spectrally resolved. Using this technique we investigate the oscillator strength, homogeneous linewidth and fine structure splitting in a collection of such individual resonances.

Khaled Karrai

Papers

Electronic quantum dot states induced through photon emission

Method for the production of a probe tip, particularly for near-field optical microscopy, having a desired aperture

A Novel Method Of Measuring Light Absorption On A Self-Assembled Single Quantum Dot