I pioneered carbon nanotube circuit optomechanics at low temperature, coupling a suspended nanotube to a radio-frequency circuit for sensitive motion detection. In this way, I explored a new regime of cavity optomechanics in which the frequency of the cavity and the mechanical resonator are degenerate. This work represents a significant contribution to readout of mechanical motion and has been highlighted by a top journal: Phys. Rev. Lett. Improvements on this work have allowed us to detect, via the radio-frequency cavity, the self-oscillations in the carbon nanotube due to electronic transport. This manuscript is on progress now. Further improvements will enable measurement of mechanical motion at the quantum limit near the phonon ground state.
As the fast-paced electronic miniaturization proceeds towards the nanoscale, quantum effects start to play a major role. Understanding how these effects arise and how to enhance or control them on demand, is crucial for existing electronic industries and for the development of innovative technologies, and thus of both scientific and economic value for Europe. The research that forms the core of this project tackles this challenge by exploring the boundary between the macro and the micro scales. In addition, quantum controlled mechanical states would allow quantum-enhanced sensors, as well as microwave-to-optical transducers for quantum information. As the project is highly interdisciplinary, it has encouraged new collaboration networks between outstanding institutions of different European countries. This possibility of building strong competitive European networks is crucial for developing quantum control in the emerging fields of nanotechnology and nanoelectronics, which appear as key pillars in the future world economy.
