Nano-opto-mechanical systems for studies of quantum vacuum and sensing applications

King Yan Fong
University of California, Berkeley

Abstract

Scientists’ vision of building miniaturized machines atom-by-atom has inspired today’s micro- and nano-scale devices such as photonic, electronic, mechanical, and microfluidic systems, which have now become an integral part of our modern life. Nano-systems allows integration of different systems onto same platform to realize cross-functional devices. The enhanced light-matter interaction at nano-scale also allows light to couple with mechanical motion to achieve optical sensing and control with unprecedented bandwidth and sensitivity. Operation of nano-devices in quantum regime further opens up new prospects in sensing and information processing applications.

In this seminar, I will talk about three topics of nano-opto-mechanical systems in areas spanning from fundamental studies to practical applications. I will show you how heat transfer through quantum vacuum can be observed using nano-mechanical sensor [1], how the challenge of mechanical sensing in fluidic environment can be tackled [2,3], and how scaling of nano-system down to single atomic layer allows realization of new device functionality [4]. In the end, I will share with you my view of where further scaling and integration of nano-systems may lead to.

[1] K. Y. Fong, et al., Nature 576, 243 (2019).
[2] K. Y. Fong, et al., Nano Lett. 15, 6116 (2015).
[3] K. Y. Fong, et al., Nano Lett. 19, 3716 (2019).
[4] H.-K. Li*, Fong*, et al., Nat. Photon. 13, 397 (2019). *equal contribution