Observation of Back-Action Noise Cancellation in Interferometric and Weak Force Measurements

We experimentally demonstrate a cancellation of back-action noise in optical measurements. Back-action cancellation was first proposed within the framework of gravitational-wave detection by dual resonators as a way to drastically improve their sensitivity. We have developed an experiment based on a high-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity to study radiation-pressure effects in ultrasensitive displacement measurements. Using an intensity-modulated intracavity field to mimic the quantum radiation-pressure noise, we report the first observation of back-action cancellation due to a coherent mechanical response of the mirrors in the cavity to the radiation-pressure noise. We have observed a sensitivity improvement by a factor larger than 20 both in displacement and weak-force measurements.