Growing macroscopic superposition states via cavity quantum optomechanics
File(s)Clarke_2019_Quantum_Sci._Technol._4_014003.pdf (8.39 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Clarke, Jack
Vanner, MR
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The investigation of macroscopic quantum phenomena is a current active area of research that offers significant promise to advance the forefronts of both fundamental and applied quantum science. Utilising the exquisite precision and control of quantum optics provides a powerful toolset for generating such quantum states where the types and 'size' of the states that can be generated are set by the experimental parameter regime available and the resourcefulness of the protocol applied. In this work we present a new multistep scheme to 'grow' macroscopic superposition states of motion of a mechanical oscillator via cavity quantum optomechanics. The scheme consists of a series of optical pulses interacting with a mechanical mode via radiation-pressure followed by photon-counting measurements. The multistep nature of our protocol allows macroscopic superposition states to be prepared with a relaxed requirement for the single-photon optomechanical coupling strength. To illustrate the experimental feasibility of our proposal, we quantify how initial mechanical thermal occupation and mechanical decoherence affects the non-classicality and macroscopicity of the states generated and show that our scheme is resilient to optical loss. The advantages of this protocol provide a promising path to grow non-classical mechanical quantum states to a macroscopic scale under realistic experimental conditions.
Date Issued
2018-09-19
Date Acceptance
2018-08-14
Citation
Quantum Science and Technology, 2018, 4 (1)
ISSN
2058-9565
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Journal / Book Title
Quantum Science and Technology
Volume
4
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd. Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Physics
quantum optics
quantum optomechanics
non-classicality
macroscopicity
quantum measurement and control
MECHANICAL OSCILLATOR
FLUCTUATIONS
DECOHERENCE
CONVERSION
REDUCTION
MICROWAVE
PHOTONS
quant-ph
cond-mat.mes-hall
physics.optics
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
014003