Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

Tenfold reduction of Brownian noise in high-reflectivity optical coatings

Nature Photonics volume 7, pages 644–650 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Thermally induced fluctuations impose a fundamental limit on precision measurement. In optical interferometry, the current bounds of stability and sensitivity are dictated by the excess mechanical damping of the high-reflectivity coatings that comprise the cavity end mirrors. Over the last decade, the dissipation of these amorphous multilayer reflectors has at best been reduced by a factor of two. Here, we demonstrate a new paradigm in optical coating technology based on direct-bonded monocrystalline multilayers, which exhibit both intrinsically low mechanical loss and high optical quality. Employing these ‘crystalline coatings’ as end mirrors in a Fabry–Pérot cavity, we obtain a finesse of 150,000. More importantly, at room temperature, we observe a thermally limited noise floor consistent with a tenfold reduction in mechanical damping when compared with the best dielectric multilayers. These results pave the way for the next generation of ultra-sensitive interferometers, as well as for new levels of laser stability.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1: Design of the room-temperature 1,064 nm AlGaAs Bragg mirror.
Figure 2: Construction of an optical reference cavity using substrate-transferred crystalline coatings.
Figure 3: Details of the thermal noise measurement system.
Figure 4: Characterization of the crystalline-coating-stabilized 1,064 nm laser noise performance.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Schiller, S. et al. Experimental limits for low-frequency space–time fluctuations from ultrastable optical resonators. Phys. Rev. D 69, 027504 (2004).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Ludlow, A. D. et al. Sr lattice clock at 1×10−16 fractional uncertainty by remote optical evaluation with a Ca clock. Science 319, 1805–1808 (2008).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Rosenband, T. et al. Frequency ratio of Al+ and Hg+ single-ion optical clocks; metrology at the 17th decimal place. Science 319, 1808–1812 (2008).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Abbott, B. P. et al. LIGO: the laser interferometer gravitational wave observatory. Rep. Prog. Phys. 72, 076901 (2009).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Saulson, P. R. Thermal noise in mechanical experiments. Phys. Rev. D 42, 2437–2445 (1990).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. Young, B. C., Cruz, F. C., Itano, W. M. & Bergquist, J. C. Visible lasers with subhertz linewidths. Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 3799–3802 (1999).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Ludlow, A. D. et al. Compact, thermal-noise-limited optical cavity for diode laser stabilization at 1×10−15. Opt. Lett. 32, 641–643 (2007).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. Millo, J. et al. Ultrastable lasers based on vibration insensitive cavities. Phys. Rev. A 79, 053829 (2009).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. Jiang, Y. Y. et al. Making optical atomic clocks more stable with 10−16-level laser stabilization. Nature Photon. 5, 158–161 (2011).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. Kessler, T. et al. A sub-40-mHz-linewidth laser based on a silicon single-crystal optical cavity. Nature Photon. 6, 687–692 (2012).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. Nicholson, T. L. et al. Comparison of two independent Sr optical clocks with 1×10−17 stability at 103 s. Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 230801 (2012).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. Martin, M. J. et al. A quantum many-body spin system in an optical lattice clock. Science (in the press); preprint at http://lanl.arxiv.org/abs/1212.6291 (2013).

  13. Numata, K., Kemery, A. & Camp, J. Thermal-noise limit in the frequency stabilization of lasers with rigid cavities. Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 250602 (2004).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. Bishof, M., Zhang, X., Martin, M. J. & Ye, J. An optical spectrum analyzer with quantum limited noise floor. Preprint at http://lanl.arxiv.org/abs/1303.6741 (2013).

  15. Callen, H. B. & Welton, T. A. Irreversibility and generalized noise. Phys. Rev. 83, 34–40 (1951).

    Article  ADS  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  16. Landau, L. D. & Lifshitz, E. M. in Statistical Physics Ch. XII (Elsevier, 1996).

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  17. Harry, G. M. et al. Titania-doped tantala/silica coatings for gravitational wave detection. Class. Quant. Grav. 24, 405–416 (2007).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. Iga, K. Surface-emitting laser—its birth and generation of new optoelectronics field. IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quant. 6, 1201–1215 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Aspelmeyer, M., Meystre, P. & Schwab, K. Quantum optomechanics. Phys. Today 65, 29–35 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Madsen, M. et al. Nanoscale semiconductor ‘X’ on substrate ‘Y’—processes, devices, and applications. Adv. Mater. 23, 3115–3127 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Rempe, G., Thompson, R. J., Kimble, H. J. & Lalezari, R. Measurement of ultralow losses in an optical interferometer. Opt. Lett. 17, 363–365 (1992).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  22. Crooks, D. R. M. et al. Excess mechanical loss associated with dielectric mirror coatings on test masses in interferometric gravitational wave detectors. Class. Quant. Grav. 19, 883–896 (2002).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  23. Harry, G. M. et al. Thermal noise in interferometric gravitational wave detectors due to dielectric optical coatings. Class. Quant. Grav. 19, 897–918 (2002).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  24. Penn, S. D. et al. Mechanical loss in tantala/silica dielectric mirror coatings. Class. Quant. Grav. 20, 2917–2928 (2003).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  25. Harry, G., Bodiya, T. & DeSalvo, R. in Gravitational Wave Detection (eds Ottaway, D. J. & Penn, S. D.) Ch. 14, 222 (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2012).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Braginsky, V. B., Gorodetsky, M. L. & Vyatchanin, S. P. Thermodynamical fluctuations and photo-thermal shot noise in gravitational wave antennae. Phys. Lett. A 264, 1–10 (1999).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  27. Braginsky, V. B., Gorodetsky, M. L. & Vyatchanin, S. P. Thermo-refractive noise in gravitational wave antennae. Phys. Lett. A 271, 303–307 (2000).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  28. Evans, M. et al. Thermo-optic noise in coated mirrors for high-precision optical measurements. Phys. Rev. D 78, 102003 (2008).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  29. Gorodetsky, M. L. Thermal noises and noise compensation in high-reflection multilayer coating. Phys. Lett. A 372, 6813–6822 (2008).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  30. Penn, S. D. et al. Frequency and surface dependence of the mechanical loss in fused silica. Phys. Lett. A 352, 3–6 (2006).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  31. Amairi, S. et al. Reducing the effect of thermal noise in optical cavities. Appl. Phys. B http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S00340-013-5464-8 (2013).

  32. Bondarescu, M., Kogan, O. & Chen, Y. Optimal light beams and mirror shapes for future LIGO interferometers. Phys. Rev. D 78, 082002 (2008).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  33. Kimble, H. J., Lev, B. L. & Ye, J. Optical interferometers with reduced sensitivity to thermal noise. Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 260602 (2008).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  34. Friedrich, D. et al. Waveguide grating mirror in a fully suspended 10 meter Fabry–Perot cavity. Opt. Express 19, 14955–14963 (2011).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  35. Kemiktarak, U., Metcalfe, M., Durand, M. & Lawall, J. Mechanically compliant grating reflectors for optomechanics. Appl. Phys. Lett. 100, 061124 (2012).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  36. Alnis, J. et al. Thermal-noise-limited crystalline whispering-gallery-mode resonator for laser stabilization. Phys. Rev. A 84, 011804 (2011).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  37. Cole, G. D., Gröblacher, S., Gugler, K., Gigan, S. & Aspelmeyer, M. Monocrystalline AlxGa1–xAs heterostructures for high-reflectivity high-Q micromechanical resonators in the megahertz regime. Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 261108 (2008).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  38. Cole, G. D. in Proc. SPIE 8458, Optics & Photonics, Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation IX, 8458–07 (SPIE, 2012).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Jewell, J. L., Scherer, A., McCall, S. L., Gossard, A. C. & English, J. H. GaAs–AlAs monolithic microresonator arrays. Appl. Phys. Lett. 51, 94–96 (1987).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  40. Gröblacher, S., Gigan, S., Böhm, H. R., Zeilinger, A. & Aspelmeyer, M. Radiation-pressure self-cooling of a micromirror in a cryogenic environment. Europhys. Lett. 81, 54003 (2008).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  41. Black, A. et al. Wafer fusion: materials issues and device results. IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quant. 3, 943–951 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Bai, Y., Cole, G. D., Bulsara, M. T. & Fitzgerald, E. A. Fabrication of GaAs-on-insulator via low temperature wafer bonding and sacrificial etching of Ge by XeF2 . J. Electrochem. Soc. 159, H183–H190 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Konagai, M., Sugimoto, M. & Takahashi, K. High efficiency GaAs thin film solar cells by peeled film technology. J. Cryst. Growth 45, 277–280 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  44. Yablonovitch, E., Hwang, D. M., Gmitter, T. J., Florez, L. T. & Harbison, J. P. Van der Waals bonding of GaAs epitaxial liftoff films onto arbitrary substrates. Appl. Phys. Lett. 56, 2419–2421 (1990).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  45. Notcutt, M. et al. Contribution of thermal noise to frequency stability of rigid optical cavity via hertz-linewidth lasers. Phys. Rev. A 73, 031804 (2006).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  46. Schibli, T. et al. Optical frequency comb with submillihertz linewidth and more than 10 W average power. Nature Photon. 2, 355–359 (2008).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  47. Benko, C. et al. Full phase stabilization of a Yb:fiber femtosecond frequency comb via high-bandwidth transducers. Opt. Lett. 37, 2196–2198 (2012).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  48. Yamamoto, K. et al. Measurement of the mechanical loss of a cooled reflective coating for gravitational wave detection. Phys. Rev. D 74, 022002 (2006).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  49. Knigge, A., Zorn, M., Wenzel, H., Weyers, M. & Trankle, C. High efficiency AlGaInP-based 650 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. Electron. Lett. 37, 1222–1223 (2001).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Spitzer, W. G. & Whelan, J. M. Infrared absorption and electron effective mass in n-type gallium arsenide. Phys. Rev. 114, 59–63 (1959).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank M.R. Abernathy, R.X. Adhikari, A. Alexandrovski, C. Benko, T. Chalermsongsak, G.M. Harry, R. Lalezari, L-S. Ma, E. Murphy, M. Notcutt, S.D. Penn, A. Peters, P. Ullmann and R. Yanka for discussions and technical assistance. Work at the University of Vienna is supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), the European Commission and the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant Program. The work at CMS is supported by the Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (AWS) and the ERC Proof of Concept Initiative. Work at JILA is supported by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the DARPA QuASAR Program, and the US National Science Foundation (NSF) Physics Frontier Center at JILA. Microfabrication was carried out at the Center for Micro- and Nanostructures (ZMNS) of the Vienna University of Technology.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Garrett D. Cole and Wei Zhang: These authors contributed equally to this work

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ), Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Vienna, A-1090, Austria

    Garrett D. Cole & Markus Aspelmeyer

  2. Crystalline Mirror Solutions GmbH, Vienna, A-1090, Austria

    Garrett D. Cole

  3. JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, Boulder, 80309-0440, Colorado, USA

    Wei Zhang, Michael J. Martin & Jun Ye

Authors
  1. Garrett D. Cole
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wei Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michael J. Martin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jun Ye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Markus Aspelmeyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

G.D.C. and M.A. designed the epitaxial multilayer, developed the substrate transfer process, and fabricated the bonded mirror assemblies. W.Z., M.J.M. and J.Y. designed and characterized the optical cavity, performed the laser frequency noise and stability measurements, and analysed the data. All authors contributed to writing the manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Garrett D. Cole, Jun Ye or Markus Aspelmeyer.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

G.D.C. and M.A. are co-founders of a startup company (Crystalline Mirror Solutions) and co-inventors on an international patent (European Application 11010091.4) focusing on the bonded mirror technology described in the Article.

Supplementary information

Supplementary information

Supplementary information (PDF 833 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cole, G., Zhang, W., Martin, M. et al. Tenfold reduction of Brownian noise in high-reflectivity optical coatings. Nature Photon 7, 644–650 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2013.174

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2013.174

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing