Preparing the quantum ground state of a levitated mechanical oscillator
Abstract
The idea that light can lead to observable mechanical effects on material objects dates back to 1619 when Johannes Kepler first suggested in De Cometis that the deflection of comet tails was the result of a radiant pressure from the sun. More recently, optical tweezers have revolutionized biophysics as well as provided a path to optically control and cool single quantum systems. Despite all the previous successes there is still an unexplored frontier - the full optical control ofsingle mesoscopic objects, such as dielectric nanoparticles. This is new territory lying at the border of classical and quantum physics. The main objective of the present program is to realize an experimental platform capable of cooling a single levitated nano-mechanical oscillator to its quantum ground state. Currently this is the holy grail of levitated optomechanics experiments. The equipment supported by this DURIP will support the construction of a unique one-of-a-kindapparatus that will make quantum ground state cooling possible. The excitement with achieving the quantum ground state is that it will enable a variety of fundamental physical tests ~ for example experimentally probing the quantum/classical boundary ~ as well as provide a novel modality to advance the state-of-the-art in measurement science.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 23, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141613140
Entities
People
- Nickolas Vamivakas
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Rochester