Stuttgart 2012 – scientific programme

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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 48: SYQM 1: Quantum limited measurement applications 1

A 48.4: Talk

Friday, March 16, 2012, 11:45–12:00, V47.01

Ultimate quantum bounds on mass measurements with a nano-mechanical resonator — •Daniel Braun — Université de Toulouse, UPS, Laboratoire de Physique Théorique (IRSAMC), F-31062 Toulouse, France — CNRS, LPT (IRSAMC), F-31062 Toulouse, France

I establish the ultimate lower bound on the mass that can be measured with a nano-mechanical resonator in a given quantum state based on the fundamental quantum Cramér–Rao bound, and identify the quantum states of the oscillator which will allow the largest sensitivity for a given maximum energy. I show that with existing carbon nanotube resonators it should be possible in principle to measure a thousandth of the mass of an electron, and future improvements might allow to reach a regime where one can measure the relativistic change of mass due to absorption of a single photon, or the creation of a chemical bond.

[1] D. Braun, Eur.Phys.Lett. 94, 68007 (2011)