We present the results of theoretical and experimental studies of dispersively coupled (or membrane in the middle) optomechanical systems. We calculate the linear optical properties of a high finesse cavity containing a thin dielectric membrane. We f
ocus on the cavitys transmission, reflection, and finesse as a function of the membranes position along the cavity axis and as a function of its optical loss. We compare these calculations with measurements and find excellent agreement in cavities with empty-cavity finesses in the range 10^4 to 10^5. The imaginary part of the membranes index of refraction is found to be approximately 10^(-4). We calculate the laser cooling performance of this system, with a particular focus on the less-intuitive regime in which photons tunnel through the membrane on a time scale comparable to the membranes period of oscillation. Lastly, we present calculations of quantum non-demolition measurements of the membranes phonon number in the low signal-to-noise regime where the phonon lifetime is comparable to the QND readout time.
The torque generated by the transfer of spin angular momentum from a spin-polarized current to a nanoscale ferromagnet can switch the orientation of the nanomagnet much more efficiently than a current-generated magnetic field, and is therefore in dev
elopment for use in next-generation magnetic random access memory (MRAM). Up to now, only DC currents and square-wave current pulses have been investigated in spin-torque switching experiments. Here we present measurements showing that spin transfer from a microwave-frequency pulse can produce a resonant excitation of a nanomagnet and lead to improved switching characteristics in combination with a square current pulse. With the assistance of a microwave-frequency pulse, the switching time is reduced and achieves a narrower distribution than when driven by a square current pulse alone, and this can permit significant reductions in the integrated power required for switching. Resonantly excited switching may also enable alternative, more compact MRAM circuit architectures.
