Hannover 2010 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 50: Micromechanical Oscillators I
Q 50.4: Talk
Thursday, March 11, 2010, 16:00–16:15, A 320
Minimizing phonon tunneling losses in optomechanical resonators — •Garrett D. Cole1, Ignacio Wilson-Rae2, Michael R. Vanner1, Simon Gröblacher1, Johannes Pohl3, Martin Zorn3, Markus Weyers3, Achim Peters4, and Markus Aspelmeyer1 — 1Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna — 2Department of Physics, Technical University Munich — 3Ferdinand-Braun-Institute, Berlin — 4Institute of Physics, Humboldt University Berlin
Micromechanical resonators are a promising means to observe quantum phenomena in macroscopic bodies. Within this emerging field of quantum Optomechanics, the overarching goal is to combine the concepts of quantum optics cavity with radiation-pressure coupling in order to generate and detect quantum states of optomechanical systems. In this regime, resonators of exceptional mechanical and optical quality are required, specifically, these devices must combine both high reflectivity and low mechanical dissipation (high Q) for the vibrational mode of interest. A major challenge in this endeavor is the coupling of the resonator with the external environment. Here, we present experimental and theoretical results for high-performance megahertz resonator based on freestanding epitaxial AlxGa1-xAs Bragg reflectors in which the anchoring to the supports has been engineered to minimize phonon tunneling losses. Compared with dielectric reflectors, the use of a monocrystalline heterostructure gives rise to significant improvements in the achievable Q while simultaneously exhibiting comparably low optical absorption and transmission losses.