Abstract We explore the prospects and benefits of combining the techniques of cavity optomechanics with efforts to image spins using magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM). In particular, we focus on a common mechanical resonator used in cavity optomechanics—high-stress stoichiometric silicon nitride (Si3N4) membranes. We present experimental work with a ‘trampoline’ membrane resonator that has a quality factor above 106and an order of magnitude lower mass than a comparable standard membrane resonators. Such high-stress resonators are on a trajectory to reach 0.1 force sensitivities at MHz frequencies by using techniques such as soft clamping and phononic-crystal control of acoustic radiation in combination with cryogenic cooling. We present a demonstration of force-detected electron spin resonance of an ensemble at room temperature using the trampoline resonators functionalized with a magnetic grain. We discuss prospects for combining such a resonator with an integrated Fabry–Perot cavity readout at cryogenic temperatures, and provide ideas for future impacts of membrane cavity optomechanical devices on MRFM of nuclear spins.
more »
« less
Focusing membrane metamirrors for integrated cavity optomechanics
Membrane-based cavity optomechanical systems have been widely successful; however, their chip-scale integration remains a significant challenge. Here we present a solution based on metasurface design. Specifically, by non-periodic photonic crystal patterning of a Si3N4membrane, we realize a suspended metamirror with a finite focal length, enabling formation of a stable optical cavity with a plane end-mirror. We present simulation, fabrication, and characterization of the metamirror using both free-space and cavity-based measurements, demonstrating reflectivities as high as 99% and cavity finesse as high as 600. The mirror radius of curvature (∼30cm) is inferred from the cavity mode spectrum. In combination with phononic engineering, focusing membrane mirrors offer a route towards high-cooperativity, vertically integrated cavity optomechanical systems with applications ranging from precision force sensing to hybrid quantum transduction.
more »
« less
- Award ID(s):
- 2209473
- PAR ID:
- 10537115
- Publisher / Repository:
- Optical Society of America
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Optica
- Volume:
- 11
- Issue:
- 9
- ISSN:
- 2334-2536
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: Article No. 1235
- Size(s):
- Article No. 1235
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
-
Dholakia, Kishan; Spalding, Gabriel C (Ed.)Cavity optomechanics has led to advances in quantum sensing, optical manipulation of mechanical systems, and macroscopic quantum physics. However, previous studies have typically focused on cavity optomechanical coupling to translational degrees of freedom, such as the drum mode of a membrane, which modifies the amplitude and phase of the light field. Here, we discuss recent advances in “imaging-based” cavity optomechanics – where information about the mechanical resonator’s motion is imprinted onto the spatial mode of the optical field. Torsion modes are naturally measured with this coupling and are interesting for applications such as precision torque sensing, tests of gravity, and measurements of angular displacement at and beyond the standard quantum limit. In our experiment, the high-Q torsion mode of a Si3N4 nanoribbon modulates the spatial mode of an optical cavity with degenerate transverse modes. We demonstrate an enhancement of angular sensitivity read out with a split photodetector, and differentiate the “spatial” optomechanical coupling found in our system from traditional dispersive coupling. We discuss the potential for imaging-based quantum optomechanics experiments, including pondermotive squeezing and quantum back-action evasion in an angular displacement measurement.more » « less
-
The pursuit of room temperature quantum optomechanics with tethered nanomechanical resonators faces stringent challenges owing to extraneous mechanical degrees of freedom. An important example is thermal intermodulation noise (TIN), a form of excess optical noise produced by mixing of thermal noise peaks. While TIN can be decoupled from the phase of the optical field, it remains indirectly coupled via radiation pressure, implying a hidden source of backaction that might overwhelm shot noise. Here we report observation of TIN backaction in a high-cooperativity, room temperature cavity optomechanical system consisting of an acoustic-frequency Si3N4trampoline coupled to a Fabry–Perot cavity. The backaction we observe exceeds thermal noise by 20 dB and radiation pressure shot noise by 40 dB, despite the thermal motion being 10 times smaller than the cavity linewidth. Our results suggest that mitigating TIN may be critical to reaching the quantum regime from room temperature in a variety of contemporary optomechanical systems.more » « less
-
Abstract Hybrid quantum systems are essential for the realization of distributed quantum networks. In particular, piezo-mechanics operating at typical superconducting qubit frequencies features low thermal excitations, and offers an appealing platform to bridge superconducting quantum processors and optical telecommunication channels. However, integrating superconducting and optomechanical elements at cryogenic temperatures with sufficiently strong interactions remains a tremendous challenge. Here, we report an integrated superconducting cavity piezo-optomechanical platform where 10 GHz phonons are resonantly coupled with photons in a superconducting cavity and a nanophotonic cavity at the same time. Taking advantage of the large piezo-mechanical cooperativity (Cem ~7) and the enhanced optomechanical coupling boosted by a pulsed optical pump, we demonstrate coherent interactions at cryogenic temperatures via the observation of efficient microwave-optical photon conversion. This hybrid interface makes a substantial step towards quantum communication at large scale, as well as novel explorations in microwave-optical photon entanglement and quantum sensing mediated by gigahertz phonons.more » « less
-
Optical Fabry–Perot cavity with a movable mirror is a paradigmatic optomechanical system. While usually the mirror is supported by a mechanical spring, it has been shown that it is possible to keep one of the mirrors in a stable equilibrium purely by optical levitation without any mechanical support. In this work, we expand previous studies of the nonlinear dynamics of such a system by demonstrating a possibility for mechanical parametric instability and the emergence of the “phonon laser” phenomenon.more » « less
An official website of the United States government
