Sensitive optomechanical transduction of electric and magnetic signals to the optical domain.

Anders Simonsen,Albert Schliesser,Sampo Antero Saarinen,Jan Henrik Ardenkjær-Larsen,Eugene Simon Polzik,Juan Diego Sanchez

doi:10.1364/oe.27.018561

Abstract

We report a radio-frequency-to-optical converter based on an electro-optomechanical transduction scheme where the electrical, optical, and mechanical interface was integrated on a chip and operated with a fiber-coupled optical setup. The device was designed for field tests in a magnetic resonance scanner where its small form-factor and simple operation is paramount. For the appurtenant magnetic resonance detection circuit at 32 MHz, we demonstrate transduction with an intrinsic magnetic field sensitivity of 8 fT/Hz, noise figure 2.3 dB, noise temperature 210 K, voltage noise 99 pV/Hz, and current noise 113 pA/Hz, all in a 3 dB-bandwidth of 12 kHz. Such sensitivity and bandwidth make the transducer a valuable alternative to conventional electronic preamplifiers that additionally is directly compatible with fiber communication networks.

Highlights

In the past decade, a promising research field has emerged from transduction of radio and microwave electromagnetic radiation onto light using nano- and micro-mechanical oscillators [1]
We report a radio-frequency-to-optical converter based on an electro-optomechanical transduction scheme where the electrical, optical, and mechanical interface was integrated on a chip and operated with a fiber-coupled optical setup
For the appurtenant magnetic resonance detection c√ircuit at 32 MHz, we demonstrate transduction with an intrinsic magnetic√field sensitivity of 8 fT/ Hz, √noise figure 2.3 dB, noise temperature 210 K, voltage noise 99 pV/ Hz, and current noise 113 pA/ Hz, all in a 3 dB-bandwidth of 12 kHz

Summary

Introduction

A promising research field has emerged from transduction of radio and microwave electromagnetic radiation onto light using nano- and micro-mechanical oscillators [1]. They are strong candidates for transduction at a single photon level when operated at cryogenic temperatures. By up-converting electrical signals to a light carrier, these transducers can be used to transmit radio-frequency (RF) and microwave radiation with optical fibers, replacing lossy wires and waveguides and extending the usual advantages of optical fibers to the RF and microwave domain. The circuit is driven by an AC bias that induces charges on the membrane-capacitor along with the signal. As the membrane vibrates it changes the capacitance and, in turn, both the charges on the capacitor and the electrical resonance frequency—the electrical and mechanical system are

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