Design of Microresonators to Minimize Thermal Noise Below the Standard Quantum Limit

Abstract

We present a design for a new microresonator whose geometry is optimized to maximize sub-Standard Quantum Limit (SQL) performance. The new design is predicted to have thermal noise well below the SQL across a broad range of frequencies when operated at 10K. The performance of this designed microresonator will allow it to serve as a test-bed for quantum non-demolition measurements, and to open new regimes of precision measurement that are relevant for many practical sensing applications, including advanced gravitational wave detectors.