Quantum-limited imaging of a nanomechanical resonator with a spatial mode sorter

We explore the use of a spatial mode sorter to image a nanomechanical resonator, with the goal of studying the quantum limits of active imaging and extending the toolbox for optomechanical force sensing. In our experiment, we reflect a Gaussian laser beam from a vibrating nanoribbon and pass the ref...

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Main Authors: M. E. Choi, C. M. Pluchar, W. He, S. Guha, D. J. Wilson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2025-08-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/6msj-wh2f
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author M. E. Choi
C. M. Pluchar
W. He
S. Guha
D. J. Wilson
author_facet M. E. Choi
C. M. Pluchar
W. He
S. Guha
D. J. Wilson
author_sort M. E. Choi
collection DOAJ
description We explore the use of a spatial mode sorter to image a nanomechanical resonator, with the goal of studying the quantum limits of active imaging and extending the toolbox for optomechanical force sensing. In our experiment, we reflect a Gaussian laser beam from a vibrating nanoribbon and pass the reflected beam through a commercial spatial mode demultiplexer (Cailabs Proteus). The intensity in each demultiplexed channel depends on the mechanical modeshapes and encodes information about their displacement amplitudes. As a concrete demonstration, we monitor the angular displacement of the ribbon’s fundamental torsion mode by illuminating in the fundamental Hermite-Gauss mode (HG_{00}) and reading out in the HG_{10} mode. We show that this technique permits readout of the ribbon’s torsional vibration with a precision near the quantum limit. Our results highlight new opportunities at the interface of quantum imaging and quantum optomechanics.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2643-1564
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series Physical Review Research
spelling doaj-art-7715e18afa8447d1984afa419840e3eb2025-08-20T03:40:21ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642025-08-0173L03203110.1103/6msj-wh2fQuantum-limited imaging of a nanomechanical resonator with a spatial mode sorterM. E. ChoiC. M. PlucharW. HeS. GuhaD. J. WilsonWe explore the use of a spatial mode sorter to image a nanomechanical resonator, with the goal of studying the quantum limits of active imaging and extending the toolbox for optomechanical force sensing. In our experiment, we reflect a Gaussian laser beam from a vibrating nanoribbon and pass the reflected beam through a commercial spatial mode demultiplexer (Cailabs Proteus). The intensity in each demultiplexed channel depends on the mechanical modeshapes and encodes information about their displacement amplitudes. As a concrete demonstration, we monitor the angular displacement of the ribbon’s fundamental torsion mode by illuminating in the fundamental Hermite-Gauss mode (HG_{00}) and reading out in the HG_{10} mode. We show that this technique permits readout of the ribbon’s torsional vibration with a precision near the quantum limit. Our results highlight new opportunities at the interface of quantum imaging and quantum optomechanics.http://doi.org/10.1103/6msj-wh2f
spellingShingle M. E. Choi
C. M. Pluchar
W. He
S. Guha
D. J. Wilson
Quantum-limited imaging of a nanomechanical resonator with a spatial mode sorter
Physical Review Research
title Quantum-limited imaging of a nanomechanical resonator with a spatial mode sorter
title_full Quantum-limited imaging of a nanomechanical resonator with a spatial mode sorter
title_fullStr Quantum-limited imaging of a nanomechanical resonator with a spatial mode sorter
title_full_unstemmed Quantum-limited imaging of a nanomechanical resonator with a spatial mode sorter
title_short Quantum-limited imaging of a nanomechanical resonator with a spatial mode sorter
title_sort quantum limited imaging of a nanomechanical resonator with a spatial mode sorter
url http://doi.org/10.1103/6msj-wh2f
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AT djwilson quantumlimitedimagingofananomechanicalresonatorwithaspatialmodesorter