In physical systems, decoherence can arise from both dissipative and dephasing processes. In mechanical resonators, the driven frequency response measures a combination of both, while time domain techniques such as ringdown measurements can separate
the two. Here, we report the first observation of the mechanical ringdown of a carbon nanotube mechanical resonator. Comparing the mechanical quality factor obtained from frequency- and time-domain measurements, we find a spectral quality factor four times smaller than that measured in ringdown, demonstrating dephasing-induced decoherence of the nanomechanical motion. This decoherence is seen to arise at high driving amplitudes, pointing to a non-linear dephasing mechanism. Our results highlight the importance of time-domain techniques for understanding dissipation in nano-mechanical resonators, and the relevance of decoherence mechanisms in nanotube mechanics.
Superconducting microwave resonators (SMR) with high quality factors have become an important technology in a wide range of applications. Molybdenum-Rhenium (MoRe) is a disordered superconducting alloy with a noble surface chemistry and a relatively
high transition temperature. These properties make it attractive for SMR applications, but characterization of MoRe SMR has not yet been reported. Here, we present the fabrication and characterization of SMR fabricated with a MoRe 60-40 alloy. At low drive powers, we observe internal quality-factors as high as 700,000. Temperature and power dependence of the internal quality-factors suggest the presence of the two level systems from the dielectric substrate dominating the internal loss at low temperatures. We further test the compatibility of these resonators with high temperature processes such as for carbon nanotube CVD growth, and their performance in the magnetic field, an important characterization for hybrid systems.
The elastic response of suspended NbSe3 nanowires is studied across the charge density wave phase transition. The nanoscale dimensions of the resonator lead to a large resonant frequency (10-100 MHz), bringing the excited phonon frequency in close pr
oximity of the plasmon mode of the electronic condensate - a parameter window not accessible in bulk systems. The interaction between the phonon and plasmon modes strongly modifies the elastic properties at high frequencies. This is manifested in the nanomechanics of the system as a sharp peak in the temperature dependence of the elastic modulus (relative change of 12.8%) in the charge density wave phase.
Using graphene resonator, we perform electromechanical measurements in quantum Hall regime to probe the coupling between a quantum Hall (QH) system and its mechanical motion. Mechanically perturbing the QH state through resonance modifies the DC resi
stance of the system and results in a Fano-lineshape due to electronic interference. Magnetization of the system modifies the resonators equilibrium position and effective stiffness leading to changes in resonant frequency. Our experiments show that there is an intimate coupling between the quantum Hall state and mechanics - electron transport is affected by physical motion and in turn the magnetization modifies the electromechanical response.
