Optomechanics with Quantum Vacuum Fluctuations (Springer Theses)

✍ Scribed by Zhujing Xu

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 2023
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 120
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This thesis presents the first realization of non-reciprocal energy transfer between two cantilevers by quantum vacuum fluctuations. According to quantum mechanics, vacuum is not empty but full of fluctuations due to zero-point energy. Such quantum vacuum fluctuations can lead to an attractive force between two neutral plates in vacuum – the so-called Casimir effect – which has attracted great attention as macroscopic evidence of quantum electromagnetic fluctuations, and can dominate the interaction between neutral surfaces at small separations. The first experimental demonstration of diode-like energy transport in vacuum reported in this thesis is a breakthrough in Casimir-based devices. It represents an efficient and robust way of regulating phonon transport along one preferable direction in vacuum. In addition, the three-body Casimir effects investigated in this thesis were used to realize a transistor-like three-terminal device with quantum vacuum fluctuations. These two breakthroughs pave the way for exploring and developing advanced Casimir-based devices with potential applications in quantum information science. This thesis also includes a study of the non-contact Casimir friction, which will enrich the understanding of quantum vacuum fluctuations.

✦ Table of Contents

Supervisor's Foreword
Parts of this thesis have been published in the following journal articles
Acknowledgments
Contents
List of Abbreviations
1 Introduction
1.1 Casimir Force
1.2 Casimir Torque
1.3 Quantum Vacuum Friction
1.4 Multi-cantilever System
1.5 Levitated Optomechanical System
1.6 Overview of This Dissertation
References
2 Measurement and Calculation of Casimir Force
2.1 Experimental Setup
2.1.1 Dual-Cantilever-Fiber Interferometer System
2.1.2 Vacuum System and Pneumatic Isolation
2.1.3 Piezo Actuator and Mounting System
2.1.4 Sample Preparation
2.2 Force Measurement: Frequency Modulation Method
2.3 Experimental Procedures and Results
2.3.1 Displacement Calibration
2.3.2 Calibration of Spring Constant
2.3.3 Calibration of Effective Separation
2.3.4 Measured Casimir Force
2.4 Calculation of Casimir Force
References
3 Experimental Realization of a Casimir Diode: Non-reciprocal Energy Transfer by Casimir Force
3.1 Energy Transfer Between Two Cantilevers
3.2 Dynamical Control Near the Exceptional Point
3.3 Effective Hamiltonian of the System
References
4 Experimental Realization of a Casimir Transistor: Switching and Amplifying Energy Transfer in a Three-Body Casimir System
4.1 Experimental Setup
4.2 Measurement of Casimir Force in the Three-Cantilever System
4.3 Casimir Vibrational Coupling
4.4 Casimir Switch
4.5 Casimir Amplifier
4.5.1 External Gain to the System
4.5.2 Requirement for the Steady Condition
4.5.3 Amplify the Casimir Mediated Energy Transfer
References
5 Proposal on Detecting Rotational Quantum Vacuum Friction
5.1 Ultrasensitive Torque Sensor
5.2 Rotational Vacuum Friction Torque on a Silica Nanosphere Near a Silica Surface
5.3 Enhancement of Rotational Vacuum Friction Torque by Surface Photon Tunneling
References
6 Proposal on Detecting Casimir Torque
6.1 Schematic Illustration
6.2 Trapping Potential of the Nanorod
6.3 Calculation of Casimir Torque and Casimir Force
6.4 Torque and Force Sensitivity
References
7 Conclusion and Outlook
7.1 A Preliminary Design of a Casimir MEMS Accelerometer
7.1.1 Casimir Parametric Amplifier
7.1.2 The Closest Stable Separation Before Pull-in
7.1.3 Acceleration Detection Sensitivity
7.2 Switching Casimir Force with Phase-Transition Materials
7.3 Repulsive Casimir Force in Vacuum
References
Curriculum Vitae