Speaker: Amir Safavi-Naeini, Stanford University.
Micro- and nano-scale mechanical sensors lie at the heart of countless modern devices. From navigation within our smartphones to highly sensitive biological and clinical testing, the ability to accurately detect minute forces and displacements is essential. However, even the most advanced mechanical sensors are fundamentally limited by the inherent constraints imposed by the principles of quantum mechanics. This inherent quantum noise presents a roadblock to further performance improvements.
In this talk, I will discuss our laboratory's work dedicated to pushing the frontiers of mechanical sensing sensitivity. We are developing novel quantum nanomechanical devices that are engineered to overcome traditional limitations. Our approaches involve increasing interaction rates between the mechanical sensor and the quantity to be measured, along with connecting these sensors to new superconducting circuits. These connections offer enhanced readout and the potential for unprecedented quantum control.
A second major thrust of our research focuses on understanding and reducing noise and decoherence that plague these devices. We are systematically studying a primary source of both limitations: two-level systems (TLS). By pinpointing and addressing the origins of TLS-induced effects, we aim to develop quantum nanomechanical sensors that unlock new regimes of sensitivity.
These advances together hold promise for significant impact across scientific disciplines, potentially revolutionizing force detection, material characterization, and even the exploration of fundamental physics.