Photonic and Optomechanical Thermometry

Abstract

Temperature is one of the most relevant physical quantities that affects almost all processes in nature. However, the realization of accurate temperature standards using current temperature references, like the triple point of water, is difficult due to the requirements on material purity and stability of the environment. In addition, in harsh environments, current temperature sensors with electrical readout, like platinum resistors, are difficult to implement, urging the development of optical temperature sensors. In 2018, the European consortium Photoquant, consisting of metrological institutes and academic partners, started investigating new temperature standards for self-calibrated, embedded optomechanical sensor applications, as well as optimised high resolution and high reliability photonic sensors, to measure temperature at the nano and meso-scales and as a possible replacement for the standard platinum resistant thermometers. This article presents an overview of the results obtained with sensor prototypes that exploit photonic and optomechanical techniques for sensing temperatures over a large temperature range (5 K to 300 K). Different concepts are demonstrated, including ring resonators, ladder-like resonators and suspended membrane optomechanical thermometers, highlighting initial performance and challenges, like self-heating that need to be overcome to realize photonic and optomechanical thermometry applications.

Sensitive Thermochromic Behavior of InSeI, a Highly Anisotropic and Tubular 1D van der Waals Crystal

“…[7,8] The advantage of these optical platforms originates from their intrinsic robustness with respect to electromagnetic interference, remote readout, and high sensitivity of optical measurements. [9][10][11] In addition, given the renewed focus of public and private sectors on nano-and semiconductor technologies, optical thermometers can play a significant role in addressing the emerging need for temperature monitoring of nanoscale processes related to the thermal management of microelectronics, [12] nanomedicine, [13,14] and biomedical imaging. [15,16] Thermochromism, which is the temperature-dependent change in the color of a material, is the core foundation of many optical thermometers.…”

Exploring regenerative coupling in phononic crystals for room temperature quantum optomechanics

“…On this point, cavity optomechanics has become a hot topic in recent years after entering the quantum regime and pushing the limits of signal processing, computing, communication 10 – 14 , and sensing 15 – 22 . In most cases, achieving the quantum ground state of the optomechanical resonator necessitates cooling it to nearly absolute zero temperature.…”

Sensitive thermochromic behavior of InSeI, a highly anisotropic and tubular 1D van der Waals Crystal

“…[7,8] The advantage of these optical platforms originates from their intrinsic robustness with respect to electromagnetic interference, remote readout, and high sensitivity of optical measurements. [9][10][11] In addition, given the renewed focus of public and private sectors on nano-and semiconductor technologies, optical thermometers can play a significant role in addressing the emerging need for temperature monitoring of nanoscale processes related to the thermal management of micro-electronics, [12] nanomedicine, [13,14] and biomedical imaging. [15,16] Thermochromism, which is the temperature-dependent change in the color of a material, is the core foundation of many optical thermometers.…”