Mechanical quality factor and thermal noise analysis of NEXCERA for optical cavities

authored by

Nico Wagner, Mateusz Naroznik, Marcin Bober, Michal Zawada, Stefanie Kroker

Abstract

NEXCERA has recently emerged as a novel ceramic-based material for spacers in ultra-stable optical cavities, featuring a zero-crossing coefficient of thermal expansion at room temperature. Thermal noise is currently the primary limitation to the performance of these cavities, and the mechanical quality factor, a key parameter in assessing this noise, has not been previously reported for NEXCERA. In this study, using the Gentle Nodal Suspension technique, we explore the mechanical quality factor of NEXCERA N117B at room temperature across various resonance frequencies. We measure a promising mechanical quality factor of Q = 52 800, highlighting NEXCERA’s potential for ultra-stable optical cavities. Based on this result, we estimate the thermal noise performance of NEXCERA when used as a spacer material, showing that it is a promising candidate for next-generation ultra-stable laser cavities operating at room temperature.

External Organisation(s)

Technische Universität Braunschweig
Laboratory for Emerging Nanometrology Braunschweig (LENA)
Nicolaus Copernicus University
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt PTB

Type

Conference contribution

Publication date

07.07.2025

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Condensed Matter Physics, Computer Science Applications, Applied Mathematics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3041984 (Access: Unknown)