ABSTRACT: Optomechanical resonators that combine low-loss micromechanical resonators and optical microcavities have been shown to provide exquisite sensitivity to changes in the effective cavity length and exhibit complex nonlinear behavior that can be controlled optically. To date, the focus for optomechanical resonators has been on fundamental physical measurements under well-controlled laboratory conditions. In this presentation, I will describe our efforts to use integrated optomechanical resonators for more applied measurements, with the prospect of significantly improving resolution and accuracy compared to traditional technologies, such as microelectromechanical sensors. Examples will include an optomechanical accelerometer that provides high precision, low-uncertainty measurements without calibration, a phononic-photonic crystal resonator developed for quantum-limited force detection, and a pulsed laser interferometer that has been used to measure vibrations out to 12 GHz, which has applications in mobile communications filters and quantum acoustic devices.

BIOSKETCH: Jason J. Gorman is a project leader in the Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). He joined NIST after being awarded a National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associateship. He received a B.S. in aerospace engineering from Boston University, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from The Pennsylvania State University. His work is currently focused on the development of low-loss micromechanical resonators and optical microcavities and their combined use in integrated optomechanical sensors and frequency sources. Applications of interest include inertial sensing, ultrasound detection, micromechanical clocks, and RF photonic devices.