Optical probing of mechanical loss of a Si_{3}N_{4} membrane below 100 mK

We report on low mechanical loss in a high-stress silicon nitride (Si_{3}N_{4}) membrane at temperatures below 100 mK. We isolate a membrane via a phononic shield formed within a supporting silicon frame, and measure the mechanical quality factor of a number of high-tension membrane modes as we vary...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2016-11
Main Authors: Fischer, R, Kampel, N S, Assumpção, G G T, P -L Yu, Cicak, K, Peterson, R W, Simmonds, R W, Regal, C A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cryogenic temperature
Dependence
Dilution
Material properties
Object recognition
Optical properties
Q factors
Quality
Silicon nitride
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We report on low mechanical loss in a high-stress silicon nitride (Si_{3}N_{4}) membrane at temperatures below 100 mK. We isolate a membrane via a phononic shield formed within a supporting silicon frame, and measure the mechanical quality factor of a number of high-tension membrane modes as we vary our dilution refrigerator base temperature between 35 mK and 5 K. At the lowest temperatures, we obtain a maximum quality factor (Q) of 2.3\times10^{8}, corresponding to a Q-frequency product (QFP) of 3.7\times10^{14} Hz. These measurements complement the recent observation of improved quality factors of Si_{3}N_{4} at ultralow temperatures via electrical detection. We also observe a dependence of the quality factor on optical heating of the device. By combining exceptional material properties, high tension, advanced isolation and clamping techniques, high-stress mechanical objects are poised to explore a new regime of exceptional quality factors. Such quality factors combined with an optical probe at cryogenic temperatures will have a direct impact on resonators as quantum objects, as well as force sensors at mK temperatures.
ISSN:2331-8422