Quantum squeezing of motion in a mechanical resonator

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the generation of a quadrature-squeezed state in a mechanical resonator near its quantum ground state using microwave radiation pressure, advancing quantum control of macroscopic systems.

Contribution

It reports the first experimental realization of sub-zero-point squeezing in a micron-scale mechanical resonator via microwave radiation pressure.

Findings

Achieved 1 dB of sub-zero-point squeezing in a mechanical resonator.

Prepared a mechanical system near its quantum ground state.

Demonstrated manipulation of quantum fluctuations in a macroscopic object.

Abstract

As a result of the quantum, wave-like nature of the physical world, a harmonic oscillator can never be completely at rest. Even in the quantum ground state, its position will always have fluctuations, called the zero-point motion. Although the zero-point fluctuations are unavoidable, they can be manipulated. In this work, using microwave frequency radiation pressure, we both prepare a micron-scale mechanical system in a state near the quantum ground state and then manipulate its thermal fluctuations to produce a stationary, quadrature-squeezed state. We deduce that the variance of one motional quadrature is 0.80 times the zero-point level, or 1 dB of sub-zero-point squeezing. This work is relevant to the quantum engineering of states of matter at large length scales, the study of decoherence of large quantum systems, and for the realization of ultra-sensitive sensing of force and motion.