  A new class of hybrid systems that couple optical, electrical and mechanical
degrees of freedom in nanoscale devices is under development in laboratories
worldwide. These nano-opto-electro-mechanical systems (NOEMS) offer
unprecedented opportunities to dynamically control the flow of light in
nanophotonic structures, at high speed and low power consumption. Drawing on
conceptual and technological advances from cavity optomechanics, they also bear
the potential for highly efficient, low-noise transducers between microwave and
optical signals, both in the classical and quantum domains. This Progress
Article discusses the fundamental physical limits of NOEMS, reviews the recent
progress in their implementation, and suggests potential avenues for further
developments in this field.
