Optomechanical Devices Research Articles

A cavity optomechanical locking scheme based on the optical spring effect.

We present a novel locking scheme for active length-stabilization and frequency detuning of a cavity optomechanical device based on the optical spring effect. The error signal is generated by utilizing the position measurement of a thermally driven intra-cavity nanomechanical device and employing its detuning-dependent frequency shift caused by the dispersive coupling to the cavity field. The scheme neither requires external modulation of the laser or the cavity nor does it demand for additional error signal readout, rendering its technical implementation rather simple for a large variety of existing optomechanical devices. Specifically, for large-linewidth microcavities or in situations where other locking schemes appear unfavorable conceptually or are hard to realize technically, the optical spring lock represents a potential alternative for stabilizing the cavity length. We explain the functional principle of the lock and characterize its performance in terms of bandwidth and gain profile.

Beyond linear coupling in microwave optomechanics

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.

Stationary optomechanical entanglement between a mechanical oscillator and its measurement apparatus

We provide an argument to infer stationary entanglement between light and a mechanical oscillator based on continuous measurement of light only. We propose an experimentally realizable scheme involving an optomechanical cavity driven by a resonant, continuous-wave field operating in the non-sideband-resolved regime. This corresponds to the conventional configuration of an optomechanical position or force sensor. We show analytically that entanglement between the mechanical oscillator and the output field of the optomechanical cavity can be inferred from the measurement of squeezing in (generalized) Einstein-Podolski-Rosen quadratures of suitable temporal modes of the stationary light field. Squeezing can reach levels of up to 50% of noise reduction below shot noise in the limit of large quantum cooperativity. Remarkably, entanglement persists even in the opposite limit of small cooperativity. Viewing the optomechanical device as a position sensor, entanglement between mechanics and light is an instance of object-apparatus entanglement predicted by quantum measurement theory.Received 4 December 2019Accepted 17 June 2020DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.033244Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.Published by the American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasOptomechanicsQuantum opticsAtomic, Molecular & Optical

Phase-sensitive optomechanical amplifier for quantum noise reduction in laser interferometers

The sensitivity of future gravitational wave interferometers is expected to be limited through-out the detection band by quantum vacuum fluctuations, which can be reduced by quantum non-demolition methods such as squeezed vacuum injection. However, optical losses in the readout chainseverely limit the effectiveness of such schemes. We propose an optomechanical device to be installedat the output of the detector that mitigates the effect of readout loss, thus allowing the detector tobetter exploit quantum noise evasion schemes.

Two-dimensional optomechanical crystal cavity with high quantum cooperativity

Optomechanical systems offer new opportunities in quantum information processing and quantum sensing. Many solid-state quantum devices operate at millikelvin temperatures—however, it has proven challenging to operate nanoscale optomechanical devices at these ultralow temperatures due to their limited thermal conductance and parasitic optical absorption. Here, we present a two-dimensional optomechanical crystal resonator capable of achieving large cooperativity C and small effective bath occupancy nb, resulting in a quantum cooperativity Ceff ≡ C/nb > 1 under continuous-wave optical driving. This is realized using a two-dimensional phononic bandgap structure to host the optomechanical cavity, simultaneously isolating the acoustic mode of interest in the bandgap while allowing heat to be removed by phonon modes outside of the bandgap. This achievement paves the way for a variety of applications requiring quantum-coherent optomechanical interactions, such as transducers capable of bi-directional conversion of quantum states between microwave frequency superconducting quantum circuits and optical photons in a fiber optic network.

Suspended photonic crystal membranes in AlGaAs heterostructures for integrated multi-element optomechanics

We present high-reflectivity mechanical resonators fabricated from AlGaAs heterostructures for use in free-space optical cavities operating in the telecom wavelength regime. The mechanical resonators are fabricated in slabs of GaAs and patterned with a photonic crystal to increase their out-of-plane reflectivity. Characterization of the mechanical modes reveals residual tensile stress in the GaAs device layer. This stress results in higher mechanical frequencies than in unstressed GaAs and can be used for strain engineering of mechanical dissipation. Simultaneously, we find that the finite waist of the incident optical beam leads to a dip in the reflectance spectrum. This feature originates from coupling to a guided resonance of the photonic crystal, an effect that must be taken into account when designing slabs of finite size. The single-layer and sub-μm-spaced double-layer slabs demonstrated here can be directly fabricated on top of a distributed Bragg reflector mirror in the same material platform. Such a platform opens a route for realizing integrated multi-element cavity optomechanical devices and optomechanical microcavities on chip.

Solid-state laser refrigeration of a composite semiconductor Yb:YLiF4 optomechanical resonator

Photothermal heating represents a major constraint that limits the performance of many nanoscale optoelectronic and optomechanical devices including nanolasers, quantum optomechanical resonators, and integrated photonic circuits. Here, we demonstrate the direct laser refrigeration of a semiconductor optomechanical resonator >20 K below room temperature based on the emission of upconverted, anti-Stokes photoluminescence of trivalent ytterbium ions doped within a yttrium-lithium-fluoride (YLF) host crystal. Optically-refrigerating the lattice of a dielectric resonator has the potential to impact several fields including scanning probe microscopy, the sensing of weak forces, the measurement of atomic masses, and the development of radiation-balanced solid-state lasers. In addition, optically refrigerated resonators may be used in the future as a promising starting point to perform motional cooling for exploration of quantum effects at mesoscopic length scales, temperature control within integrated photonic devices, and solid-state laser refrigeration of quantum materials.

Optomechanical discrete-variable quantum teleportation scheme

We propose an experimental protocol to realize discrete variable quantum teleportation using optomechanical devices. The photonic polarization superposition state of a single photon is teleported to a phononic superposition of two micromechanical oscillators by means of photon/phonon entanglement generation and optical Bell state measurement using two-photon interference. Verification of the protocol is performed by coherent state transfer between the mechanical devices and light. Simulations show the feasibility of the proposed scheme at millikelvin temperatures using state-of-the-art gigahertz optomechanical devices.

Generating mechanical and optomechanical entanglement via pulsed interaction and measurement

Entanglement generation at a macroscopic scale offers an exciting avenue to develop new quantum technologies and study fundamental physics on a tabletop. Cavity quantum optomechanics provides an ideal platform to generate and exploit such phenomena owing to the precision of quantum optics combined with recent experimental advances in optomechanical devices. In this work, we propose schemes operating outside the resolved-sideband regime, to prepare and verify both optical–mechanical and mechanical–mechanical entanglement. Our schemes employ pulsed interactions with a duration much less than the mechanical period and, together with homodyne measurements, can both generate and characterize these types of entanglement. To improve the performance of our schemes, a precooling stage comprising prior pulses can be utilized to increase the amount of entanglement prepared, and local optical squeezers may be used to provide resilience against open-system dynamics. The entanglement generated by our schemes is quantified using the logarithmic negativity and is analysed with respect to the strength of the pulsed optomechanical interactions for realistic experimental scenarios including mechanical decoherence and optical loss. Two separate schemes for mechanical entanglement generation are introduced and compared: one scheme based on an optical interferometric design, and the other comprising sequential optomechanical interactions. The pulsed nature of our protocols provides more direct access to these quantum correlations in the time domain, with applications including quantum metrology and tests of quantum decoherence. By considering a parameter set based on recent experiments, the feasibility to generate significant entanglement with our schemes, even with large optical losses, is demonstrated.

Optomechanical detection of light with orbital angular momentum.

We present the design of an optomechanical device that allows sensitive transduction of the orbital angular momentum of light. An optically induced twist imparted on the device is detected using a photonic crystal cavity optomechanical system. This device allows the measurement of the orbital angular momentum of light when photons are absorbed by the mechanical element or the detection of the presence of photons when they are scattered into new orbital angular momentum states by a sub-wavelength grating patterned on the device. Such a system allows the detection of optical pulses with an l = 1 orbital angular momentum field that have an average photon number of 3.9 × 103 at a 5 MHz repetition rate, assuming that detector noise is not limiting measurement sensitivity. This scheme can be extended to higher order orbital angular momentum states.

Surface Acoustic Waves-Localized Plasmon Interaction in Pillared Phononic Crystals

We study numerically the interaction of surface acoustic waves propagating at the surface of a multilayer structure (the so-called Sezawa waves) with localized surface plasmons at the bottom of metallic pillars deposited on the substrate. The pillars are made of gold and the multilayer structure is constituted by a layer of gold on a silicon substrate and covered by a thin spacer of dielectric material. We are interested in localized plasmons, which are the analog of metal-dielectric-metal surface plasmons. The physical characteristics of these plasmons, such as their eigenvalues and absorption or reflection spectra, are modulated by surface acoustic waves due to deformation of the structure in the vicinity of the pillars. The surface waves are generated in the area in front of the pillars deposited on the substrate. Two types of acoustic modes are envisioned to interact with the localized plasmons, namely, confined modes associated with the local resonances of the pillars and the propagating Sezawa modes that deform the structure in the vicinity of the surface. We discuss the efficiency of phonon-plasmon coupling for both types of modes and select those that can be useful for an experimental realization based on this platform. Also, we show that, besides the plasmon frequency, the phonon-plasmon coupling magnitude strength is sensitive to the distance between the pillars, which reveals the role of interactions between the pillars on the coupling. The geometrical parameters are chosen such that the acoustic waves are in the sub-GHz range and the plasmons are around the telecommunication wavelength of 1.55 mu m. This work may help with the design of optomechanical devices that can be controlled by fast coherent acoustics and facilitate applications involving enhanced sound-light interactions, such as light modulation.

Quantum nonreciprocality in quadratic optomechanics

We propose to achieve nonreciprocal quantum control of photons in a quadratic optomechanical (QOM) system based on directional nonlinear interactions. We show that by optically pumping the QOM system in one side, the effective QOM coupling can be enhanced significantly in that side, but not for the other side. This, contrary to the intuitive picture, allows the emergence of a nonreciprocal photon blockade in such optomechanical devices with weak single-photon QOM coupling. Our proposal opens up the prospect of exploring and utilizing quantum nonreciprocal optomechanics, with applications ranging from single-photon nonreciprocal devices to on-chip chiral quantum engineering.

Attonewton-meter torque sensing with a macroscopic optomechanical torsion pendulum

Precise measurements of the displacement of, and force acting on, a mechanical oscillator can be performed by coupling the oscillator to an optical cavity. Brownian thermal forces represent a fundamental limit to measurement sensitivity which impedes the ability to use precise force measurements as a tool of fundamental enquiry, particularly in the context of macroscopic quantum measurements and table-top gravitational experiments. A torsion pendulum with a low mechanical resonant frequency can be limited by very small thermal forces - from its suspensions - at frequencies above resonance. Here, we report torque sensing of a 10-mg torsion pendulum formed by a bar mirror, using two optical cavities on either edge. The rotational mode was measured by subtracting the two signals from the cavities, while intracavity radiation pressure forces were used to trap the torsional mode with a 1 kHz optical spring. The resulting torque sensitivity of 20 aNm/$\sqrt{\rm Hz}$ is a record for a milligram scale torsion pendulum. Such a massive optomechanical device featuring high sensitivity can shed light on macroscopic quantum mechanics and gravitational physics.

Optomechanical Microwave Amplification without Mechanical Amplification

High-gain and low-noise signal amplification is a valuable tool in various cryogenic microwave experiments. A microwave optomechanical device, in which a vibrating capacitor modulates the frequency of a microwave cavity, is one technique that is able to amplify microwave signals with high gain and large dynamical range. Such optomechanical amplifiers typically rely on strong backaction of microwave photons on the mechanical mode achieved in the sideband-resolved limit of optomechanics. Here, we observe microwave amplification in an optomechanical cavity in the extremely unresolved sideband limit. A large gain is observed for any detuning of the single pump tone within the cavity linewidth, a clear indication that the amplification is not induced by dynamical backaction. By being able to amplify for any detuning of the pump signal, the amplification center frequency can be tuned over the entire range of the broad cavity linewidth. Additionally, by providing microwave amplification without mechanical amplification, we predict that using this scheme it is possible to achieve near-quantum-limited microwave amplification despite a large thermal occupation of the mechanical mode.

Metastable Refractive Index Manipulation in Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon for Reconfigurable Photonics

AbstractHydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) is known for exhibiting light‐induced metastable properties that are reversible upon annealing. While these are commonly associated with the well‐known deleterious Staebler–Wronski effect in the field of thin‐film silicon solar cells, the associated changes in optical properties have not been well studied. Emerging reconfigurable photonic devices and applications can benefit from metastable optical properties where two states of the material are reversibly accessible without the need for continuous stimulation. The study demonstrates a light‐induced 0.3% increase of the metastable refractive index of a‐Si:H that is reversed upon annealing over several cycles using a highly sensitive Fabry–Pérot interferometric technique. Utilizing this technique, a metastable optical switch based on a micro‐ring resonator is demonstrated with reversible distinct switching states separated by 0.3 nm between the light‐soaked and annealed states, a switching extinction exceeding 20 dB and an unchanged Q‐factor, suggesting no excess discernible optical loss. Furthermore, metastable strain changes in a‐Si:H‐based freestanding membrane structures are linked to the observed metastable optical properties and present a possible route to stable photonic devices. Our proof‐of‐concept demonstration showcases a‐Si:H‐based reconfigurable photonics that support multiple purpose photonic integrated circuits, reconfigurable metamaterials, and advanced optomechanical devices.

Optical Forces in Silicon Nanophotonics and Optomechanical Systems: Science and Applications

Light-matter interactions have been explored for more than 40 years to achieve physical modulation of nanostructures or the manipulation of nanoparticle/biomolecule. Silicon photonics is a mature technology with standard fabrication techniques to fabricate micro- and nano-sized structures with a wide range of material properties (silicon oxides, silicon nitrides, p - and n -doping, etc.), high dielectric properties, high integration compatibility, and high biocompatibilities. Owing to these superior characteristics, silicon photonics is a promising approach to demonstrate optical force-based integrated devices and systems for practical applications. In this paper, we provide an overview of optical force in silicon nanophotonic and optomechanical systems and their latest technological development. First, we discuss various types of optical forces in light-matter interactions from particles or nanostructures. We then present particle manipulation in silicon nanophotonics and highlight its applications in biological and biomedical fields. Next, we discuss nanostructure mechanical modulation in silicon optomechanical devices, presenting their applications in photonic network, quantum physics, phonon manipulation, physical sensors, etc. Finally, we discuss the future perspective of optical force-based integrated silicon photonics.

Ultrastrong Parametric Coupling between a Superconducting Cavity and a Mechanical Resonator.

We present a new optomechanical device where the motion of a micromechanical membrane couples to a microwave resonance of a three-dimensional superconducting cavity. With this architecture, we realize ultrastrong parametric coupling, where the coupling not only exceeds the dissipation in the system but also rivals the mechanical frequency itself. In this regime, the optomechanical interaction induces a frequency splitting between the hybridized normal modes that reaches 88% of the bare mechanical frequency, limited by the fundamental parametric instability. The coupling also exceeds the mechanical thermal decoherence rate, enabling new applications in ultrafast quantum state transfer and entanglement generation.

Feedback Cooling of a Room Temperature Mechanical Oscillator close to its Motional Ground State.

Preparing mechanical systems in their lowest possible entropy state, the quantum ground state, starting from a room temperature environment is a key challenge in quantum optomechanics. This would not only enable creating quantum states of truly macroscopic systems, but at the same time also lay the groundwork for a new generation of quantum-limited mechanical sensors in ambient environments. Laser cooling of optomechanical devices using the radiation pressure force combined with cryogenic precooling has been successful at demonstrating ground state preparation of various devices, while a similar demonstration starting from a room temperature environment remains an outstanding goal. Here, we combine integrated nanophotonics with phononic band gap engineering to simultaneously overcome prior limitations in the isolation from the surrounding environment and the achievable mechanical frequencies, as well as limited optomechanical coupling strength, demonstrating a single-photon cooperativity of 200. This new microchip technology allows us to feedback cool a mechanical resonator to around 1mK, near its motional ground state, from room temperature. Our experiment marks a major step toward accessible, widespread quantum technologies with mechanical resonators.

Dynamics of optomechanically coupled suspended silicon waveguides

We propose a configuration for a basic optomechanical device, consisting of two suspended silicon waveguides and a method for studying its dynamic behaviour, with attention to the transient phases of motion. Our work is aimed to provide a useful tool to design optomechanical devices, with particular attention to its mechanical dynamic characteristics.

Gallium Phosphide as a Piezoelectric Platform for Quantum Optomechanics.

Recent years have seen extraordinary progress in creating quantum states of mechanical oscillators, leading to great interest in potential applications for such systems in both fundamental as well as applied quantum science. One example is the use of these devices as transducers between otherwise disparate quantum systems. In this regard, a promising approach is to build integrated piezoelectric optomechanical devices that are then coupled to microwave circuits. Optical absorption, low quality factors, and other challenges have up to now prevented operation in the quantum regime, however. Here, we design and characterize such a piezoelectric optomechanical device fabricated from gallium phosphide in which a 2.9GHz mechanical mode is coupled to a high quality factor optical resonator in the telecom band. The large electronic band gap and the resulting low optical absorption of this new material, on par with devices fabricated from silicon, allows us to demonstrate quantum behavior of the structure. This not only opens the way for realizing noise-free quantum transduction between microwaves and optics, but in principle also from various color centers with optical transitions in the near visible to the telecom band.