Finite-time Stückelberg interferometry with nanomechanical modes

Abstract

Stückelberg interferometry describes the interference of two strongly coupled modes during a double passage through an avoided energy level crossing. In this work, we investigate finite-time effects in Stückelberg interferometry and discuss the exact analytical solution of the double passage Stückelberg problem by expanding the finite-time solution of the Landau–Zener problem. Approximating the return probability amplitudes of the double passage in distinct limits reveals uncharted parameter regimes of Stückelberg interferometry where finite-time effects affect the coherent exchange of energy. We find the long-time limit of the exact solution to formally coincide with the well-established adiabatic impulse model which is, to the best of our knowledge, the only regime of Stückelberg interferometry reported so far. Experimentally, we study all predicted regimes using a purely classical, strongly coupled nanomechanical two-mode system of high quality factor. The classical two-mode system consists of the in-plane and out-of-plane fundamental flexural mode of a high stress silicon nitride string resonator, coupled via electric gradient fields. We exploit our experimental and theoretical findings by studying the onset of Stückelberg interference in dependence of the characteristic system control parameters and obtain characteristic excitation oscillations between the two modes even without the explicit need of traversing the avoided crossing. The presented findings are not limited to classical mechanical two-mode systems but can be applied to every strongly coupled (quantum) two-level system, for example a spin-1/2 system or superconducting qubit.