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Mechanical Resonators for Quantum Optomechanics Experiments at Room Temperature

R. A. Norte, J. P. Moura, and S. Gröblacher
Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 147202 – Published 5 April 2016
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Abstract

All quantum optomechanics experiments to date operate at cryogenic temperatures, imposing severe technical challenges and fundamental constraints. Here, we present a novel design of on-chip mechanical resonators which exhibit fundamental modes with frequencies f and mechanical quality factors Qm sufficient to enter the optomechanical quantum regime at room temperature. We overcome previous limitations by designing ultrathin, high-stress silicon nitride (Si3N4) membranes, with tensile stress in the resonators’ clamps close to the ultimate yield strength of the material. By patterning a photonic crystal on the SiN membranes, we observe reflectivities greater than 99%. These on-chip resonators have remarkably low mechanical dissipation, with Qm108, while at the same time exhibiting large reflectivities. This makes them a unique platform for experiments towards the observation of massive quantum behavior at room temperature.

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  • Received 18 November 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.147202

© 2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & OpticalGeneral Physics

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Trampolines Sense a Disturbance in the Force

Published 18 April 2016

Researchers have engineered trampoline resonators that may be able to sense extremely weak forces and display quantum behavior at ambient temperatures.

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Authors & Affiliations

R. A. Norte, J. P. Moura, and S. Gröblacher*

  • Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628CJ Delft, The Netherlands

  • *s.groeblacher@tudelft.nl

See Also

Ultralow-Noise SiN Trampoline Resonators for Sensing and Optomechanics

Christoph Reinhardt, Tina Müller, Alexandre Bourassa, and Jack C. Sankey
Phys. Rev. X 6, 021001 (2016)

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Vol. 116, Iss. 14 — 8 April 2016

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