SQUID Detection of Quantized Mechanical Motion

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to detect quantized mechanical motion by embedding a mechanical resonator into a quantum SQUID, where observing an avoided crossing indicates quantum behavior.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to observe quantum mechanical motion via level splitting in a SQUID-resonator system, providing a new experimental signature.

Findings

Level splitting occurs when plasma frequency matches resonator frequency.

Avoided crossing as a function of external flux indicates quantum motion.

Conditions for maximizing the level splitting are identified.

Abstract

We predict that quantized mechanical motion can be detected by embedding a mechanical resonator into a quantum SQUID. If the system is tuned to the regime when a plasma frequency of the SQUID matches the resonator frequency, the doubly-degenerate quantum level of the system is split by the coupling between the SQUID and the resonator. Observation of an avoided crossing as the function of external flux would be an unambiguous evidence of quantum nature of mechanical motion. We also investigate the conditions maximizing the level splitting.