Strong coupling of a mechanical oscillator and a single atom

TL;DR

This paper proposes a setup for achieving strong quantum coupling between a single atom and a mechanical oscillator using a laser-driven cavity, enabling high-fidelity quantum state transfer and control of mechanical systems.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to strongly couple a single atom with a mechanical oscillator via a quantized light field, facilitating quantum manipulation of mechanical devices.

Findings

High-fidelity quantum state transfer is feasible with current or near-future technology.

The setup enables coherent manipulation and measurement of mechanical oscillators using atomic physics tools.

The approach opens new avenues for quantum control of micro- and nanomechanical systems.

Abstract

We propose and analyze a setup to achieve strong coupling between a single trapped atom and a mechanical oscillator. The interaction between the motion of the atom and the mechanical oscillator is mediated by a quantized light field in a laser driven high-finesse cavity. In particular, we show that high fidelity transfer of quantum states between the atom and the mechanical oscillator is in reach for existing or near future experimental parameters. Our setup provides the basic toolbox for coherent manipulation, preparation and measurement of micro- and nanomechanical oscillators via the tools of atomic physics.