By prof. Florian Marquardt (Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light -MPL- in Erlangen, Germany)

ABSTRACT: During the last ten years, a new research frontier has been explored at the interface between nanophysics and quantum optics: in the field of cavity optomechanics, one aims to exploit the interaction between radiation and vibrational motion, often at the nanoscale. Possible applications range from foundational studies of quantum physics via sensitive measurements to quantum communication. In this talk, I will first give an overview of the current status of this field and then highlight two recent research topics: the study of the topological transport of photons and phonons, and the optomechanics of superfluid helium.