Parametric control of self-sustained and self-modulated optomechanical oscillations

Optomechanical systems are known to exhibit a rich set of complex dynamical features including various types of chaotic behavior and multistability. Although this exotic behavior has attracted intense research interest, the utilization of optomechanical systems in technological applications in most cases necessitates a complex, yet predictable and controllable oscillatory response. In fact, the various types of robust oscillations supported by optomechanical systems are nested in either the same or neighboring regions of the parameter space, where chaos exists. In this work we systematically dissect the parameter space of the fundamental optomechanical oscillator in order to identify regions where stable self-sustained and self-modulated oscillations exist, by utilizing bifurcation analysis and advanced numerical continuation techniques. Moreover, in cases where bistability occurs, we study the accessibility of these oscillatory states in terms of the initial conditions and their location with respect to well-defined basins of attraction. The results provide specific knowledge for parameter sets enabling the appropriate oscillatory response for different types of applications.