Nanocavity optomechanical torque magnetometry and radiofrequency susceptometry

Nanophotonic optomechanical devices allow the observation of nanoscale vibrations with a sensitivity that has dramatically advanced the metrology of nanomechanical structures(1-9) and has the potential to impact studies of nanoscale physical systems in a similar manner(10,11). Here we demonstrate this potential with a nanophotonic optomechanical torque magnetometer and radiofrequency (RF) magnetic susceptometer. Exquisite readout sensitivity provided by a nanocavity integrated within a torsional nanomechanical resonator enables observations of the unique net magnetization and RF-driven responses of single mesoscopic magnetic structures in ambient conditions. The magnetic moment resolution is sufficient for the observation of Barkhausen steps in the magnetic hysteresis of a lithographically patterned permalloy island(12). In addition, significantly enhanced RF susceptibility is found over narrow field ranges and attributed to thermally assisted driven hopping of a magnetic vortex core between neighbouring pinning sites(13). The on-chip magnetosusceptometer scheme offers a promising path to powerful integrated cavity optomechanical devices for the quantitative characterization of magnetic micro- and nanosystems in science and technology.