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Non-Gaussian Mechanical Motion via Single and Multiphonon Subtraction from a Thermal State
G Enzian1,2,3, L Freisem1,2, J J Price1,2
1QOLS, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BW, United Kingdom.
Physical Review Letters
|December 24, 2021
Summary
Researchers demonstrate heralded non-Gaussian mechanical state preparation and tomography using photon counting and optical heterodyne detection in a Brillouin optomechanical system. This advances quantum control and state engineering for mechanical oscillators.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Optomechanics
- Quantum optics
Background:
- Cavity optomechanics enables quantum control of mechanical oscillators.
- Non-Gaussian mechanical states are crucial for quantum technologies.
- Heralded state preparation and tomography are advanced techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally demonstrate heralded non-Gaussian mechanical state preparation.
- To perform quantum state tomography on these prepared states.
- To advance quantum control and measurement techniques in optomechanics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Brillouin optomechanical system at room temperature.
- Employed photon counting for heralded single- and multiphonon subtraction.
- Used optical heterodyne detection for s-parametrized Wigner distribution measurement.
Main Results:
- Successfully prepared heralded non-Gaussian mechanical states.
- Measured the phase-space distribution of these states using tomography.
- Demonstrated advanced optical measurement techniques for mechanical states.
Conclusions:
- The developed techniques enhance optics-based tomography of mechanical states.
- These methods are valuable for quantum-state engineering and tomography.
- Advances quantum control of mechanical oscillators via cavity optomechanics.
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