Cavity-enhanced optical detection of carbon nanotube Brownian motion

S. Stapfner, L. Ost, D. Hunger, J. Reichel, I. Favero, E. M. Weig

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

Optical cavities with small mode volume are well-suited to detect the vibration of sub-wavelength sized objects. Here we employ a fiber-based, high-finesse optical microcavity to detect the Brownian motion of a freely suspended carbon nanotube at room temperature under vacuum. The optical detection resolves deflections of the oscillating tube down to 70 pm / Hz 1 / 2. A full vibrational spectrum of the carbon nanotube is obtained and confirmed by characterization of the same device in a scanning electron microscope. Our work extends the principles of high-sensitivity optomechanical detection to molecular scale nanomechanical systems.

Original languageEnglish
Article number151910
JournalApplied Physics Letters
Volume102
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Apr 2013
Externally publishedYes

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