Long-lived phonons from resonators with reduced surface interactions

Using Brillouin-based phonon spectroscopy, surface interactions have been identified as the dominant source of phonon decoherence in crystalline media. When these interactions are reduced through chemical mechanical polishing, high-frequency bulk acoustic wave oscillators can be realized with record Q-factors and coherence times, suitable for use as long-lived solid-state quantum memories. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution Access options Access through your institution Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription $32.99 / 30 days cancel any time Learn more Subscribe to this journal Receive 12 print issues and online access $259.00 per year only $21.58 per issue Learn more Buy this articlePurchase on SpringerLinkInstant access to the full article PDF.USD 39.95Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Fig. 1: Q-factors and the effect of optimized polishing.

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Rakich Nature Physics Article Open Access 09 Jul 2026