Pulsed quantum optomechanics

M. R. Vanner, I. Pikovski, G. D. Cole, M. S. Kim, Č Brukner, K. Hammerer, G. J. Milburn, M. Aspelmeyer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

239 Scopus citations

Abstract

Studying mechanical resonators via radiation pressure offers a rich avenue for the exploration of quantum mechanical behavior in a macroscopic regime. However, quantum state preparation and especially quantum state reconstruction of mechanical oscillators remains a significant challenge. Here we propose a scheme to realize quantum state tomography, squeezing, and state purification of a mechanical resonator using short optical pulses. The scheme presented allows observation of mechanical quantum features despite preparation from a thermal state and is shown to be experimentally feasible using optical microcavities. Our framework thus provides a promising means to explore the quantum nature of massive mechanical oscillators and can be applied to other systems such as trapped ions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16182-16187
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume108
Issue number39
DOIs
StatePublished - 27 Sep 2011

Keywords

  • Optomechanics
  • Quantum measurement
  • Squeezed states

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