Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Quantum optical measurement techniques offer a rich avenue for quantum control of mechanical oscillators via cavity optomechanics. In particular, a powerful yet little explored combination utilizes optical measurements to perform heralded non-Gaussian mechanical state preparation followed by tomography to determine the mechanical phase-space distribution. Here, we experimentally perform heralded single-phonon and multiphonon subtraction via photon counting to a laser-cooled mechanical thermal state with a Brillouin optomechanical system at room temperature and use optical heterodyne detection to measure the s-parametrized Wigner distribution of the non-Gaussian mechanical states generated. The techniques developed here advance the state of the art for optics-based tomography of mechanical states and will be useful for a broad range of applied and fundamental studies that utilize mechanical quantum-state engineering and tomography.
Source: Physical Review Letters
Authors: G. Enzian, L. Freisem, J. J. Price, A. Ø. Svela, J. Clarke, B. Shajilal, J. Janousek, B. C. Buchler, P. K. Lam, M. R. Vanner
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Awards: Precision laser levitation for quantum metrology and gravitational sensing, G2498746801, Training & Skills Hub in Quantum Systems Engineering: Imperial Centre for Quantum Engineering & Science, G2939352160, ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, G4433727828, Quantum Science and Device Facility (QSDF), G4729571793
OpenAlex ID: W3135748203