CAREER: Torsional Quantum Optomechanics

高Q纳米机械谐振器是量子光力学实验的基石，使人们能够利用光来探测和操纵量子极限下的机械运动。该项目将探索最近发现的超高Q扭转纳米谐振器开启的量子光学力学的新局面，解决基础和应用研究机会。一个关键的目标是在量子成像和量子光学领域之间展开对话，这两个领域有着共同的利益，但作为量子光子学和量子光学的子领域并行发展。另一个目标是将纳米机械传感扩展到重力测量，使其能够获得从惯性导航到地下成像的广泛应用。除了研究，首席研究员还将为亚利桑那大学的量子信息科学与工程硕士项目开发一门实验室课程。这门课程跨越了从单光子探测到稀释制冷的各种技术，将满足人们对量子工作者日益增长的动手体验的需求。该研究计划有三个推力，每个推力基于具有高Q扭转模式的应变氮化硅纳米带反射的激光场。首先，将探索基于成像的量子光力学的一个新领域，用激光偏转测量(光学杠杆方法)取代传统的干涉测量。一个关键的目标是观察扭矩中的辐射压力散粒噪声，并研究其对反射光场量子态的影响。其次，将开发一种基于质量加载纳米带频率跟踪的紧凑型摆式重力仪。他们的目标是一种具有纳米级灵敏度的芯片规模、可排列格式的自校准重力仪。第三，利用先进的工程技术，开发扭转品质因数超过10亿的纳米带。结合量子有限偏转测量法，将尝试从室温对纳米机械振荡器进行基态冷却，这对量子技术和教学工具都有兴趣。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

High-Q nanomechanical resonators are the building blocks of quantum optomechanics experiments, enabling the use of light to probe and manipulate mechanical motion at the quantum limit. This project will explore a new landscape in quantum optomechanics opened by the recent discovery of ultra-high-Q torsion nanoresonators, addressing both fundamental and applied research opportunities. A key goal is to start a dialogue between Quantum Imaging and Quantum Optomechanics fields which share common interests but have developed in parallel as subfields of Quantum Photonics and Quantum Optics. Another goal is to extend nanomechanical sensing to gravimetry, giving access to broad applications from inertial navigation to subterranean imaging. In addition to research, the principal investigator will develop a laboratory course for the Quantum Information Science and Engineering master’s program at University of Arizona. Spanning techniques from single-photon detection to dilution refrigeration, the course will answer a growing demand for hands-on experience in the quantum workforce.The research program has three thrusts, each based on reflecting a laser field from a strained silicon nitride nanoribbon possessing high Q torsion modes. First, a new field of imaging-based quantum optomechanics will be explored, with traditional interferometric measurement replaced by laser deflectometry (the optical lever method). A key goal is to observe radiation pressure shot noise in torque and study its influence on the quantum state of the reflected light field. Second, a compact pendulum gravimeter will be developed based on frequency tracking of a mass-loaded nanoribbon. The goal is a self-calibrated gravimeter with nano-g sensitivity in a chip-scale, arrayable format. Third, using advanced engineering techniques, nanoribbons with torsional quality factors exceeding 1 billion will be developed. Combined with quantum-limited deflectometry, an attempt will be made to ground state cool a nanomechanical oscillator from room temperature, of interest for both quantum technology and as a teaching tool.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.