Torsion resonators loom large in the history of precision measurement; however their role in modern nanomechanics experiments is limited. In this presentation I will describe a new class of ultra-high-Q torsion nanoresonators fashioned from strained nanoribbons, and how they might be used for imaging-based quantum optomechanics experiments and chip-scale intertial sensing. Specifically, using an optical lever, we have resolved the rotation of one such nanoribbon with an imprecision 100 times smaller than the zero-point motion of its fundamental torsion mode, paving the way towards observation of radiation pressure shot noise in torque. We have also found that a strained nanoribbon can be mass-loaded without changing its torsional Q. We have used this strategy to engineer a chip-scale torsion pendulum with an ultralow damping rate of 7 micro-hertz, sufficient to resolve micro-g fluctuations of the local gravitational field.

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Dalziel J. Wilson, Jon R. Pratt, Aman R. Agrawal, Charles A. Condos, Christian M. Pluchar, and Stephan Schlamminger, "Ultra-low-loss torsion resonators for quantum imaging and chip-scale gravimetry," Proc. SPIE PC12447, Quantum Sensing, Imaging, and Precision Metrology, PC124472A (Presented at SPIE Quantum West: January 31, 2023; Published: 9 March 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2656972.6321511139112.