Mechanical characterization of a membrane with an on-chip loss shield in a cryogenic environment

Year: 2025

Authors: Marzioni F., Natali R., Bonaldi M., Borrielli A., Serra E., Morana B., Marin F., Marino F., Malossi N., Vitali D., Di Giuseppe G., Piergentili P.

Autors Affiliation: Univ Camerino, Sch Sci & Technol, Phys Div, I-62032 Camerino, MC, Italy; INFN, Sez Perugia, Via A Pascoli, I-06123 Perugia, Italy; Univ Naples Federico II, Dept Phys, I-80126 Naples, Italy; Inst Mat Elect & Magnetism, Nanosci Trento FBK Div, I-38123 Trento, TN, Italy; TIFPA, Ist Nazl Fis Nucleare, I-38123 Povo, TN, Italy; Delft Univ Technol, EEMCS Fac, Microelect Dept, NL-2628 CD Delft, Netherlands; CNR INO, Lgo Enr Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, FI, Italy; INFN, Sez Firenze, Via Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Univ Firenze, Dipartimento Fis & Astron, Via Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.

Abstract: The quantum transduction of an rf/microwave signal to the optical domain, and vice versa, paves the way for technologies that exploit the advantages of each domain to perform quantum operations. Since electro-optomechanical devices implement a simultaneous coupling of a mechanical oscillator to both an rf/microwave field and an optical field, they are suitable for the realization of a quantum transducer. The membrane-in-the-middle setup is a possible solution, once its vibrational mode is cooled down to ultra cryogenic temperature for achieving quantum operation. This work is focused on the mechanical characterization via an optical interferometric probe, down to T = 18 mK, of a loss-shielded metalized membrane designed for this purpose. A stroboscopic technique has been exploited for revealing a mechanical quality factor up to 64 x 10(6) at the lowest temperature. In fact, with continuous illumination and a cryostat temperature below 1 K, the heat due to optical absorption is not efficiently dissipated anymore, and the membrane remains hotter than its environment.

Journal/Review: APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS

Volume: 126 (17)      Pages from: 174002-1  to: 174002-5

More Information: We acknowledge the support of the PNRR MUR Project No. PE0000023-NQSTI (Italy).
KeyWords: Optical-detection; Microwave
DOI: 10.1063/5.0268805