Magnetic-field-mediated coupling and control in hybrid atomic-nanomechanical systems

TL;DR

This paper explores how magnetic fields can mediate coupling between ultracold atoms and nanomechanical resonators, enabling cooling, temperature measurement, and entanglement of mesoscopic objects in hybrid quantum systems.

Contribution

It demonstrates a novel approach to coupling atomic samples with nanomechanical resonators via oscillating magnetic fields, including theoretical calculations and feasible fabrication methods.

Findings

Coupling strength calculated for different nanostring resonators

Proposed methods for cooling and measuring mechanical motion

Potential for entanglement in hybrid quantum systems

Abstract

Magnetically coupled hybrid quantum systems enable robust quantum state control through Landau-Zener transitions. Here, we show that an ultracold atomic sample coupled to a nanomechanical resonator via oscillating magnetic fields can be used to cool the resonator's mechanical motion, to measure the mechanical temperature, and to enable entanglement of these mesoscopic objects. We calculate the expected coupling for both permanent-magnet and current-conducting nanostring resonators and describe how this hybridization is attainable using recently developed fabrication techniques, including SiN nanostrings and atom chips.