Physical Society Colloquium

Experiments with Nanoelectromechanics at the Quantum Limit

Keith Schwab

University of Maryland

I will discuss our recent experiments where we have made the closest approach to the quantum limit for continuous position detection of a mechanical structure, a factor of ~5 from the uncertainty principle limit. We have developed a nano-electro-mechanical device with an integrated nanomechanical resonator and ultra-sensitive single electron transistor (SET). Currently, we are using the mechanical resonator to characterize the quantum noise properties of the SET. I will discuss applications of this technology to ultra-sensitive microscopy and quantum information devices.