The development of advanced quantum networks used in computing and communications heavily relies on the coherent transmission of information within the electromagnetic spectrum. Researchers at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil, in collaboration with colleagues at ETH Zurich in Switzerland and TU Delft in the Netherlands, conducted a study on the utilization of nanometric optomechanical cavities for this purpose. Published in the journal Nature Communications, the study delves into the potential of these nanoscale resonators in facilitating interaction between high-frequency mechanical vibrations and infrared light used in telecommunications.
The article highlights one of the major breakthroughs of the study: the introduction of dissipative optomechanics. Unlike traditional optomechanical devices, which solely rely on dispersive interaction, dissipative optomechanics allows for direct scattering of photons from the waveguide to the resonator. This advancement grants tighter control over optoacoustic interaction, enabling the exploration of quantum state transfer between the photonic and phononic domains.
Prior to this study, dissipative optomechanical interaction was limited to low mechanical frequencies, hindering important applications in quantum computing. However, the researchers successfully demonstrated the first dissipative optomechanical system operating in a regime where the mechanical frequency exceeded the optical linewidth. By increasing the mechanical frequency by two orders of magnitude and achieving a tenfold rise in the optomechanical coupling rate, the study opens up promising possibilities for more effective devices in the future.
Collaborating with TU Delft, the researchers designed and fabricated devices that utilized well-established technologies in the semiconductor industry. Suspended nanometric silicon beams allowed for simultaneous confinement of infrared light and mechanical vibrations. The inclusion of a laterally placed waveguide facilitated the coupling of the optical fiber to the cavity, resulting in the desired dissipative coupling crucial for the study’s findings.
This study not only offers immediate applications in the construction of quantum networks but also establishes a foundation for future fundamental research. The ability to individually manipulate mechanical modes and mitigate optical non-linearities in optomechanical devices is an exciting prospect. Through continued exploration and development, the field of nanometric optomechanical cavities can contribute to the advancements of quantum computing and communications.
The utilization of nanometric optomechanical cavities for the coherent transmission of information within the electromagnetic spectrum represents a significant advancement in the development of quantum networks. The introduction of dissipative optomechanics allows for tighter control over optoacoustic interaction, enabling quantum state transfer between photonic and phononic domains. By increasing mechanical frequencies and enhancing the optomechanical coupling rate, the study paves the way for the development of more efficient devices. Collaborative efforts with established semiconductor technologies further strengthens the potential of these nanometric optomechanical cavities. With a focus on both immediate application and future fundamental research, these advancements in the field hold promise for the evolution of quantum computing and communications.
Leave a Reply