Electrically driven surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices are used in a wide range of applications, including delay lines, RF filters, and sensors, with their functionalities recently expanding into the quantum regime [1]. In parallel, cavity optomechanics has developed into a mature field, allowing, for instance, the amplification and cooling of mechanical excitations, the observation of non-classical features of phononic modes, and even the quantum teleportation of optical states to mechanical oscillators [2-3]. In this work, we numerically investigate the interconnection of these two fields, building upon previous experiments demonstrating optomechanical coupling to surface acoustic waves [4-5]. We analyze the interplay between moving boundary and photoelastic contributions to the coupling, examine the influence of different material platforms, and propose an experimental implementation aimed at advancing the optomechanical readout of SAWs through the increase of the light-enhanced optomechanical coupling. Finally, we discuss broader perspectives of this approach, particularly in the context of quantum acoustics and microwave-optical quantum transducers.

[1] Qiao H. et. al. Science vol 380, pp. 1030-1033 (2023)

[2] Aspelmeyer M. et. al. Rev. Mod. Phys. 86 (2014)

[3] Fiaschi N. et. al. Nat. Phot. 15, 817-821 (2021)

[4] Okada A. et. al. Phys. Rev. Applied 10 (2018)

[5] Iyer A. et. al. Nat. Comm. 15 (2024)