title: Magnetic resonance in an atomic vapor excited by a mechanical resonator.
abstract: We demonstrate a direct resonant interaction between the mechanical motion of a mesoscopic resonator and the spin degrees of freedom of a sample of neutral atoms in the gas phase. This coupling, mediated by a magnetic particle attached to the tip of the miniature mechanical resonator, excites a coherent precession of the atomic spins about a static magnetic field. The novel coupled atom-resonator system may enable development of low-power, high-performance sensors, and enhance research efforts connected with the manipulation of cold atoms, quantum control, and high-resolution microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Time and Frequency Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305, USA.
authors.forename: Ying-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eardley
authors.forename: Svenja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Knappe
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moreland
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hollberg
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kitching