Optomechanical systems as single-photon routers

Abstract

We demonstrate theoretically the possibility of using nano mechanical systems as single photon routers. We show how EIT in cavity optomechanical systems can be used to produce a switch for a probe field in a single photon Fock state using very low pumping powers of few microwatt. We present estimates of vacuum and thermal noise and show the optimal performance of the single photon switch is deteriorated by only few percent even at temperatures of the order of 20 mK.