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Topological phonon transport in an optomechanical system
Hengjiang Ren1,2,3,4, Tirth Shah5,6, Hannes Pfeifer5,7
1Thomas J. Watson, Sr., Laboratory of Applied Physics and Kavli Nanoscience Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA.
Nature Communications
|June 17, 2022
Summary
Researchers achieved topological phonon transport in a novel optomechanical device. This breakthrough enables site-resolved measurements and detects thermal fluctuations along topological edge channels, advancing miniaturized mechanical topological systems.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Quantum Mechanics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Cavity optomechanics utilizes light to control mechanical motion.
- Advancements in small-scale optomechanical circuits aim for multi-mode on-chip systems.
- Topological phononics seeks to achieve topologically protected phonon transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To realize topological phonon transport in an optomechanical device.
- To investigate topological phononics using optomechanical tools.
- To advance the downscaling of mechanical topological systems.
Main Methods:
- Development of an innovative multiscale optomechanical crystal.
- Implementation of site-resolved measurements in an array of over 800 cavities.
- Utilizing sensitive optomechanical readout to detect thermal fluctuations.
Main Results:
- Successful realization of topological phonon transport.
- Detection of thermal fluctuations propagating along topological edge channels.
- Demonstration of a scalable platform for topological phononics.
Conclusions:
- The study represents a significant step towards on-chip topological phononics.
- The developed optomechanical device enables sensitive detection of topological phenomena.
- This work paves the way for future investigations in miniaturized mechanical topological systems.
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