Squeezing of quantum noise of motion in a micromechanical resonator

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the preparation of a macroscopic micromechanical resonator in a squeezed quantum state, reducing quantum noise below the standard quantum limit for one quadrature, marking a significant advancement in quantum control of macroscopic objects.

Contribution

It reports the first achievement of motional squeezing in a nearly macroscopic mechanical resonator, with a measured squeezing of 1.1 dB below the quantum limit.

Findings

Achieved 1.1 dB squeezing of a macroscopic resonator

Demonstrated quantum noise reduction below the standard quantum limit

Pioneered motional squeezing in a macroscopic mechanical system

Abstract

A pair of conjugate observables, such as the quadrature amplitudes of harmonic motion, have fundamental fluctuations which are bound by the Heisenberg uncertainty relation. However, in a squeezed quantum state, fluctuations of a quantity can be reduced below the standard quantum limit, at the cost of increased fluctuations of the conjugate variable. Here we prepare a nearly macroscopic moving body, realized as a micromechanical resonator, in a squeezed quantum state. We obtain squeezing of one quadrature amplitude $1.1 \pm 0.4$ dB below the standard quantum limit, thus achieving a long-standing goal of obtaining motional squeezing in a macroscopic object.