Approaching the Quantum Limit of a Nanomechanical Resonator
Abstract
Here we demonstrate an approach to the quantum limit of a nanomechanical device by both achieving position resolution a factor of 4.2 from the uncertainty principle limit and observing the freeze-out to quantum occupation numbers of less than 60. This has been accomplished by tightly coupling a single-electron transistor to a high-Q, 20MHz nanomechanical resonator. To date, this result is the closest approach to the uncertainty principle limit for mechanical position detection. It opens up the prospect for much future research on nanoelectromechanical systems at millikelvin temperatures including the observation of mesoscopic fluctuations and coherent quantum behavior in nanomechanical systems, quantum-limited feedback cooling, and quantum-squeezing.
- Publication:
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APS March Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- March 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004APS..MARP39005L