Imprinting interference fringes in massive optomechanical systems

TL;DR

This paper proposes an interferometric method to generate and observe momentum superposition states in massive mechanical oscillators, demonstrating robustness against thermal and experimental imperfections.

Contribution

It introduces a novel interferometric scheme for creating momentum superpositions in macroscopic systems using quantum mirrors and free photons, enabling rapid preparation and detection.

Findings

Scheme allows observation of momentum superpositions in massive systems at non-zero temperatures

Robust against thermal initial states, displacements, and mirror imperfections

Enables ultra-fast state preparation and immediate detection

Abstract

An interferometric scheme for the creation of momentum superposition states of mechanical oscillators, using a quantum mirror kicked by free photons is analyzed. The scheme features ultra-fast preparation with immediate detection and should allow for the observation of signatures of momentum superpositions in a massive macroscopic system at non-zero temperatures. It is robust against thermalized initial states, displacement and movement, mirror imperfections, and the measurements' back-actions.