Squeezing Mechanical Motion
October 2, 2015 | AIP.orgEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Heisenberg's uncertainty principle takes the form of a trade-off: It's always possible, at least in theory, to reduce the quantum uncertainty in a parameter of interest (a particle's position, say) at the expense of increasing the uncertainty of something else (its momentum). In optics, the trade-off gives rise to so-called squeezed states of light, which can be constructed, for example, with lower uncertainty in their amplitude and higher uncertainty in their phase. The ability to produce squeezed light has enabled optical measurements to be made with greater precision than would otherwise be possible. Now Caltech's Keith Schwab and collaborators have achieved the long-standing goal of similarly squeezing the motion of a micron-scale mechanical resonator.
In their device, shown here, the center-square capacitor and the spiral-wire inductor form an LC circuit with a resonant frequency of 6.2 GHz. Furthermore, the top plate of the capacitor is free to move, with a vibrational frequency of 3.6 MHz. A major obstacle to teasing out such a system's quantum character is that even at a chilly 10 mK, thermal fluctuations in the mechanical motion overwhelm quantum fluctuations by two orders of magnitude. Prior research has shown that driving the circuit at the difference between the two resonant frequencies can sap the mechanical resonator's energy and cool the resonator into the quantum regime. Schwab and company went a step further: They drove the circuit at the sum and difference frequencies simultaneously, thereby cooling and squeezing the motion at the same time. By analyzing the circuit's output frequency spectrum, they deduced that the positional uncertainty over part of the mechanical resonator's cycle was squeezed to 80% of the quantum zero-point level.
Suggested Items
Podcast Review: On the Line with… Designing for Reality
05/09/2024 | Duane Benson, Positive Edge LLCAs a technologist, if I were forced to come up with just one recurring theme that I might call a professional “nemesis,” it would be the difference between theory and reality. A lot of technology we have at our disposal works well in theory but falls short when reality hits. That’s not the only reason I chose to listen to and review On the Line with… Designing for Reality, featuring a series of conversations with ASC Sunstone’s Matt Stevenson, but it certainly helped that the title caught my eye.
American Standard Circuits to Exhibit at Focus on PCB 2024 Italy
05/09/2024 | American Standard CircuitsAmerican Standard Circuits will be exhibiting at this year’s Focus on PCB Italy 2024 to be held on May 15 and 16 at the Vicenza Expo Centre, Vicenza, Italy.
MKS’ Atotech, ESI to Participate in CPCA Show
05/09/2024 | MKS’ AtotechMKS’ Atotech, and ESI will participate in the CPCA Show 2024. The show will be held from May 13 to 15, 2024, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) and will bring together domestic and international manufacturers in the electronic circuit industry.
All Flex Solutions Hires Mike Madetzke as Manager of R&D
05/08/2024 | All Flex SolutionsAll Flex Solutions is very pleased to announce that Mike Madetzke has joined their team as their new Manager of Research and Development.
Real Time with…. IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Innovation and Collaboration at EPTAC
05/06/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOGuest Editor Kelly Dack and EPTAC Vice President Leo Lambert discuss the partnership between EPTAC and Blackfox, their program alignment, and future expansion plans. Leo introduces Burak Gokmen as the new "leader of the pack." The focus then shifts to Nano Dimensions' 3D printed circuit boards, emphasizing the need for proper documentation and training.