Norte Research Group

Mechanical Frequency Combs in Nature Communications

For the first time, we link two breakthrough fields in physics: optical trapping and frequency combs via nanoscale trampolines made possible by microchip technology. Using optical trapping we discovered a new way to create on-chip frequency combs that are extremely easy to use. Our microchip research was recently published in Nature Communications.

Awarded 2021 ERC Starting Grant

Our lab was awarded a €2.1 million ERC Starting Grant which will allow us to explore new types of nanotechnology with extreme-aspect-ratios. These optomechanical components are aiming to open new ventures in material science, space exploration, and quantum sensing.

A trip to the stars with ultra-light materials?

TU Delta features our lab's aims to propel microchip satellites with lightweight sails to the nearest star at nearly 1/5 the speed of light! This will require ultra-thin materials unlike anything found in nature or made by science today.

Physics World features our nanomechanical sensors

Physics World features our machine-learning based spiderweb resonators and their ability to investigate fundamental physics like gravity, dark matter, and quantum physics.

Spiderweb Sensors on cover of Advanced Materials

Inspired by spiderwebs and guided by machine learning, our team at the TU Delft managed to create some of the world's best vibrational sensors at the nanoscale. Our results have been published in Advanced Materials' Rising Stars Issue.

Scientific American: Is Gravity Quantum?

Our experiment to measure the Casimir force between superconductors for the first time is featured in Scientific American.

Awarded NWO Startup Grant for Quantum Sensing

Our lab received an NWO Start-Up Grant to investigate the Casimir effect between superconductor with new type of scanning tunneling microscope experiment. These experiments aim to uncover the interplay between two famous quantum effects.

News and Highlights

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Welcome to our research group at the Delft University of Technology, led by Dr. Richard Norte. Originally from California, he earned BSc degrees in Physics & Mathematics from Stanford University and subsequently earned a PhD in Physics from Caltech (CV). Richard went on to work at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience before joining the Precision and Microsystems Engineering Department at TU Delft in 2018. His work has been featured in Nature, Nature Photonics, Science, Physical Review Letters and on the covers of Scientific American & Advanced Materials. 

Our lab is a European hub for research in lightsails and other high-aspect-ratio nanostructures, supported by a number of research awards including a multi-million euro 2021 ERC Starting Grant and Limitless Space Institute. Our unique expertise in quantum optomechanics and precision engineering allows us to design, fabricate, and test novel devices with unprecedented performance, ranging from centimeter-scale suspended nanostructures to ultra-sensitive optical sensors and actuators. Our lab is a vibrant and interdisciplinary community of scientists and engineers, dedicated to advancing nanoscience. We are proud to offer outstanding opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects at the forefront of research, ranging from fundamental studies of quantum mechanics and thermodynamics to practical applications in nanotechnology and quantum computing. Our lab is part of the Dynamics of Micro and Nano Systems (DMN) section in the Precision and Microsystems Engineering Department.

Our research focuses on a variety of topics, including:

  • Lightsails and high-aspect-ratio nanostructures for interstellar travel
  • Quantum optomechanics and quantum acoustics
  • Precision engineering and ultra-delicate nanofabrication
  • High-sensitivity optical sensing and actuation
  • Machine learning design of crucial nano-components

We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our team. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in learning more about our work or if you are interested in joining our lab.

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