A parametric symmetry breaking transducer

Abstract

Force detectors rely on resonators to transduce forces into a readable signal. Usually these resonators operate in the linear regime and their signal appears amidst a competing background comprising thermal or quantum fluctuations as well as readout noise. Here, we demonstrate that a parametric symmetry breaking transduction leads to a novel and robust nonlinear force detection in the presence of noise. The force signal is encoded in the frequency at which the system jumps between two phase states which are inherently protected against phase noise. Consequently, the transduction effectively decouples from readout noise channels. For a controlled demonstration of the method, we experiment with a macroscopic doubly-clamped string. Our method provides a promising new paradigm for high-precision force detection.

Quantum Transducer Using a Parametric Driven-Dissipative Phase Transition

“…1(e), as a function of the relative driving phase θ of G and detuning ∆/U . In the regime where the phase Φ switches abruptly, we find a vanishingly small Liouvillian gap −10 −6 γ consistent with the expected first-order transition [26][27][28]. Note that for 0 θ π the Liouvillian gap does not close indicating that the phase switching occurs only for −π θ 0.…”

“…This transition is the quantum manifestation of the classical parametric symmetry breaking studied in Refs. [26][27][28]. Here, we find that at low and intermediate photon numbers this switching persists as a sharp crossover.…”

“…Interestingly for down-sweeps, both a marked increase in n at ∆/U ≈ 11 and a kink in n concomitant with the phase switching are seen. This is the quantum analogue of the double hysteresis recently discovered in the classical version of our model [26][27][28].…”

The effects of nonlinear damping on degenerate parametric amplification

“…2d. There have been several experiments where the observation of the isola is reported [21,22,40,44]. From Fig.…”

“…Specifically, PA is used for nanoscale applications including piezoelectrically pumped parametric amplifiers [13,14], carbon nanotubes [15], and graphene-based resonators [16]. Furthermore, it is also used in micro-scale applications including multi-analyte mass sensors [17], mass sensing arrays [18], Coriolis mass flow sensors [19], phase-modulated microscopy [20], parametric symmetry breaking transducers [21], parametron (a resonator-based logic device) [22], and parametrically pumped thermomechanicalnoise-driven resonators [2]. In addition, the effect of PA can also arise from mode coupling, such as 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 internal resonances.…”