Intermittent chaos in cavity optomechanics

Abstract

We theoretically demonstrate intermittent chaos induced by radiation-pressure nonlinearity in a general optomechanical system. In contrast to the periodic and chaotic dynamics, this optomechanical intermittent chaos is characterized by a nearly periodic motion interrupted irregularly by the chaotic motion, and exists in a transitional parameter regime between the normal chaos and periodic windows. The route to intermittent chaos is identified by bifurcation diagrams, and the optimal parameter regime for achieving this intermittent chaos is presented by a phase diagram. This work broadens the realm of optomechanical nonlinear dynamics, and is feasible with currently available optomechanical technology.