Sensing and Quantum Engineering with Magnetically Functionalized Ultracoherent Mechanical Resonators

Introduction

Strained nanomechanical resonators have record-high quality factors at room temperature and state-of-the-art thermal-limited force sensitivities. However, they are typically made of dielectric materials that do not interact strongly with either sensing targets or other quantum systems.

Proposal

I propose to functionalize ultracoherent mechanical resonators with a nanomagnet to unleash their potential for both nanoscale magnetic sensing and the creation of hybrid quantum systems. The force sensitivity of the best strained nanomechanical resonators allows sensing of single proton spins when functionalized with a nanomagnet, providing new ways to characterize quantum devices and to investigate the three-dimensional structure of complex molecules such as proteins.

Challenges and Opportunities

Direct coupling of mechanical resonators and a single two-level system is a challenging but attractive route to the synthesis of arbitrary quantum motional states in mechanical resonators. The low frequency of strained nanomechanical resonators has made this type of interaction elusive, but recent progress makes it conceivable to coherently couple a single atom and mechanical motion by direct magnetic coupling.

Methodology

I will leverage optical tweezer technology to directly couple the internal quantum states of a single atom to the motion of an ultracoherent mechanical resonator and exploit this interaction to generate quantum states of motion.

Application

By combining integrated photonics with ultracoherent nanomechanical resonators, SEQUENCE will develop unprecedentedly sensitive on-chip force sensors that can be used for characterization of biomolecules and quantum devices. The hybrid atom-mechanical system will realize a new interaction between single quantum systems and mechanical resonators, which can be used in tests of fundamental physics, quantum sensing, and quantum information processing.