Improving the sensitivity of frequency modulation spectroscopy using nanomechanical cantilevers

It is suggested that nanomechanical cantilevers can be employed as high- Q filters to circumvent laser noise limitations on the sensitivity of frequency modulation spectroscopy. In this approach, a cantilever is actuated by the radiation pressure of the amplitude modulated light that emerges from an absorber. Numerical estimates indicate that laser intensity noise will not prevent a cantilever from operating in the thermal noise limit, where the high Q ' s of cantilevers are most advantageous.