Quantum-mechanics free subsystem with mechanical oscillators

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a method to measure mechanical oscillators without quantum backaction by creating a quantum-mechanics free subsystem from two oscillators, enabling precise measurements and entanglement verification.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to evade quantum backaction using two coupled oscillators, achieving near-quantum-limited measurement sensitivity.

Findings

Quantum backaction evaded by 8 decibels on collective quadratures

Total measurement noise within a factor of two of the quantum limit

Verified entanglement between oscillators with Duan criterion 1.4 decibels below separability bound

Abstract

Quantum mechanics sets a limit for the precision of continuous measurement of the position of an oscillator. Here we show how it is possible to measure an oscillator without quantum backaction of the measurement by constructing one effective oscillator from two physical oscillators. We realize such a quantum-mechanics free subsystem using two micromechanical oscillators, and show the measurements of two collective quadratures while evading the quantum backaction by $8$ decibels on both of them, obtaining a total noise within a factor two of the full quantum limit. This facilitates detection of weak forces and the generation and measurement of nonclassical motional states of the oscillators. Moreover, we directly verify the quantum entanglement of the two oscillators by measuring the Duan quantity $1.4$ decibels below the separability bound.