Abstract
We explore the nonlinear dynamics of a cavity optomechanical system. Our realization consisting of a drumhead nano-electro-mechanical resonator (NEMS) coupled to a microwave cavity, allows for a nearly ideal platform to study the nonlinearities arising purely due to radiation-pressure physics. Experiments are performed under a strong microwave Stokes pumping which triggers mechanical self-sustained oscillations. We analyze the results in the framework of an extended nonlinear optomechanical theory, and demonstrate that quadratic and cubic coupling terms in the opto-mechanical Hamiltonian have to be considered. Quantitative agreement with the measurements is obtained considering only genuine geometrical nonlinearities: no thermo-optical instabilities are observed, in contrast with laser-driven systems. Based on these results, we describe a method to quantify nonlinear properties of microwave optomechanical devices. Such a technique, available now in the quantum electro-mechanics toolbox, but completely generic, is mandatory for the development of new schemes where higher-order coupling terms are proposed as a new resource, like Quantum Non-Demolition measurements, or in the search for new fundamental quantum signatures, like Quantum Gravity. We also find that the motion imprints a wide comb of extremely narrow peaks in the microwave output field, which could also be exploited in specific microwave-based measurements, potentially limited only by the quantum noise of the optical and the mechanical fields for a ground-state cooled NEMS device.
Highlights
Combining mechanical resonators with dimensions of order a micron or less with superconducting circuit elements has led to an exciting field of research exploring the quantum properties of nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) [1]
Our realization consisting of a drumhead nanoelectromechanical resonator (NEMS) coupled to a microwave cavity allows for a nearly ideal platform to study the nonlinearities arising purely due to radiation-pressure physics
We report on experiments performed at low temperatures on a microwave optomechanical setup driven in the self-oscillating regime
Summary
Combining mechanical resonators with dimensions of order a micron or less with superconducting circuit elements has led to an exciting field of research exploring the quantum properties of nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) [1]. Comb generation has been a revolution in optics [42]; it is natural to ask whether this effect could lead to new technology These combs could potentially be used for microwave-based readouts in quantum information processing (superconducting Qu-bits) and low-temperature detectors, where combs are usually synthesized for multiplexing purposes [43]. The agreement between experiment and theory is exceptional, and it gives us confidence in our level of understanding of the setup Building on these results, self-sustained oscillations in microwave optomechanical systems become a tool enabling the experimental determination of the full nonlinear Hamiltonian at stake. Self-sustained oscillations in microwave optomechanical systems become a tool enabling the experimental determination of the full nonlinear Hamiltonian at stake This could be employed, for instance, in future quantum electronics circuits with specific schemes aiming at QND measurements [26,27]
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