Optical Detection of Radio Waves (IMAGE)

Joint Quantum Institute

Optical Detection of Radio Waves

Caption

In this artist's impression of the device, radio waves (green) arrive and are sent to the membrane (center) via gold wires. This induces charge oscillations on the 4-segment electrode right underneath (~1 µm distance) the membrane. Electric forces thus make the membrane move. This motion is detected with a laser beam (red), with an extreme accuracy (1 femtometer per second measurement time), translating to a very high sensitivity to radio waves.

Credit

Niels Bohr Institute

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