Stabilization of a linear nanomechanical oscillator to its ultimate thermodynamic limit

Abstract

The rapid development of micro- and nanooscillators in the past decade has led to the emergence of novel sensors that are opening new frontiers in both applied and fundamental science. The potential of these novel devices is, however, strongly limited by their increased sensitivity to external perturbations. We report a non-invasive optomechanical nano-stabilization technique and apply the method to stabilize a linear nanomechanical beam at its ultimate thermodynamic limit at room temperature. The reported ability to stabilize a mechanical oscillator to the thermodynamic limit can be extended to a variety of systems and increases the sensitivity range of nanosensors in both fundamental and applied studies.