Enhancing Quantum Effects via Periodic Modulations in Optomechanical Systems

TL;DR

This paper explores how periodic modulations in optomechanical systems can optimize quantum effects like squeezing and entanglement, revealing interference patterns that can enhance or suppress these effects.

Contribution

It investigates the combined effects of mechanical frequency and laser intensity modulations on quantum phenomena in optomechanical systems, identifying optimal conditions and interference effects.

Findings

Sinusoidal modulation maximizes quantum effect visibility.

Interference patterns depend on the phase difference between modulations.

Proper phase tuning can enhance or cancel quantum effects.

Abstract

Parametrically modulated optomechanical systems have been recently proposed as a simple and efficient setting for the quantum control of a micromechanical oscillator: relevant possibilities include the generation of squeezing in the oscillator position (or momentum) and the enhancement of entanglement between mechanical and radiation modes. In this paper we further investigate this new modulation regime, considering an optomechanical system with one or more parameters being modulated over time. We first apply a sinusoidal modulation of the mechanical frequency and characterize the optimal regime in which the visibility of purely quantum effects is maximal. We then introduce a second modulation on the input laser intensity and analyze the interplay between the two. We find that an interference pattern shows up, so that different choices of the relative phase between the two modulations can either enhance or cancel the desired quantum effects.