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 and mechanical quality factors sufficient to enter the optomechanical quantum regime at room temperature. We overcome previous limitations by designing ultrathin, high-stress silicon nitride () 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 , 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.
- Received 18 November 2015
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.147202
© 2016 American Physical Society
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Viewpoint
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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