Pulsed quantum optomechanics

TL;DR

This paper proposes a scheme using short optical pulses for quantum state tomography, squeezing, and purification of mechanical resonators, enabling exploration of quantum features in macroscopic systems.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for quantum state manipulation of mechanical oscillators using pulsed optomechanics, feasible with current optical microcavity technology.

Findings

Allows observation of quantum features from thermal states

Feasible implementation with existing optical microcavities

Enables quantum state reconstruction and squeezing

Abstract

Studying mechanical resonators via radiation pressure offers a rich avenue for the exploration of quantum mechanical behavior in a macroscopic regime. However, quantum state preparation and especially quantum state reconstruction of mechanical oscillators remains a significant challenge. Here we propose a scheme to realize quantum state tomography, squeezing and state purification of a mechanical resonator using short optical pulses. The scheme presented allows observation of mechanical quantum features despite preparation from a thermal state and is shown to be experimentally feasible using optical microcavities. Our framework thus provides a promising means to explore the quantum nature of massive mechanical oscillators and can be applied to other systems such as trapped ions.