We demonstrate unique piezoelectric optomechanical devices able to coherently transfer microwave electrical signals to modulated optical signals, and vice versa, transferring modulated optical signals to microwave electrical signals. This coherent bilateral transfer, demonstrated most recently in a single device design, holds promise for the eventual demonstration of coherent transfer in the quantum domain. The basis of design for the devices with which this was accomplished is an optomechanical crystal that supports co-located optical and mechanical resonant modes, coupled to one other via moving boundary (index of refraction) modulation, either induced by motion from energy in the mechanical mode, or by optical pressure due to energy in the optical mode. The basis for coupling microwave mechanical motion to microwave electrical signals is via the use of a piezoelectric material for the entire device, where transduction itself is accomplished using metal transducers remote from the optomechanical structure. This remote design minimizes the lossy interaction of any optical signals with the metal electrode structures, but introduces the need to couple the electromechanical transducer to the optomechanical transducer via itinerant phonons, which presents a new challenge.
Nanomechanical systems, integrated with nanoelectronic transducers and sensors, are in an early stage of development. Research is focused on the development of radiofrequency mechanical resonators, sensitive electrometers and magnetometers, and potentially quantum-limited energy and motion sensors. This paper will review the current state of our efforts in this area, and will describe research in which the integration of mechanics and electronics will potentially allow the demonstration of macroscopic quantum effects in mechanical systems. We are particularly interested in observing and measuring quantum-limited systems, whose behavior is strongly affected by the measurement system; such systems may provide further insight into the quantum measurement process.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.