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Observation of optomechanical buckling transitions.
H Xu1, U Kemiktarak1,2, J Fan2
1Joint Quantum Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
Nature Communications
|March 2, 2017
Summary
Researchers engineered stable mechanical states in an optomechanical system, observing controllable first- and second-order buckling transitions. This work opens new avenues for photonics, information technology, and quantum mechanical studies.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Quantum Mechanics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Correlated phases of matter offer stability in diverse systems like solids and magnets.
- Mechanical systems can exhibit engineered stable configurations resembling non-equilibrium phase transitions.
- Hybrid optomechanical systems couple light and matter for advanced control and information processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To observe and control first- and second-order buckling transitions in an optomechanical system.
- To engineer a tunable multiwell confining potential for mechanical states.
- To explore applications in photonics, information technology, and quantum mechanics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a hybrid optomechanical system with strong light-matter coupling.
- Engineered a tunable multiwell confining potential with sub-nanometre well distances.
- Controlled mechanical state transitions using laser power and detuning.
Main Results:
- Observed first- and second-order buckling transitions between stable mechanical states.
- Achieved full control over the nature of the transitions via laser parameters.
- Demonstrated a highly tunable confining potential.
Conclusions:
- The engineered optomechanical system allows precise control over mechanical state transitions.
- Results pave the way for new applications in photonics and information technology.
- Enables future explorations of quantum phase transitions and macroscopic quantum tunnelling.
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