A single-ion nonlinear mechanical oscillator

TL;DR

This paper investigates the nonlinear dynamics of a single trapped ion oscillator driven into the nonlinear regime, demonstrating tunable damping and potential applications in quantum-classical transition studies and noise squeezing.

Contribution

It introduces a method to control both linear and nonlinear damping in a single-ion oscillator using laser parameters, advancing nonlinear dynamics research.

Findings

The ion's motion fits the Duffing oscillator model with nonlinear damping.

Both linear and nonlinear damping coefficients can be tuned via laser parameters.

The work opens pathways for quantum-to-classical transition studies and noise control.

Abstract

We study the steady state motion of a single trapped ion oscillator driven to the nonlinear regime. Damping is achieved via Doppler laser-cooling. The ion motion is found to be well described by the Duffing oscillator model with an additional nonlinear damping term. We demonstrate a unique ability of tuning both the linear as well as the nonlinear damping coefficients by controlling the cooling laser parameters. Our observations open a way for the investigation of nonlinear dynamics on the quantum-to-classical interface as well as mechanical noise squeezing in laser-cooling dynamics.