Strong angular momentum optomechanical coupling for macroscopic quantum control

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel quantum optomechanical system that enables coherent control, cooling, squeezing, and Schrödinger cat state preparation of a macroscopic torsional oscillator using strong angular momentum coupling.

Contribution

It introduces a new system leveraging spin angular momentum exchange for macroscopic quantum control, enabling exploration of quantum mechanics at larger scales.

Findings

Coherent control of torsional quantum states at the single photon level

Efficient cooling and squeezing of the torsional oscillator

Preparation of macroscopic Schrödinger cat-like states

Abstract

Optomechanical systems offer unique opportunities to explore macroscopic quantum state and related fundamental problems in quantum mechanics. Here, we propose a quantum optomechanical system involving exchange interaction between spin angular momentum of light and a torsional oscillator. We demonstrate that this system allows coherent control of the torsional quantum state of a torsional oscillator on the single photon level, which facilitates efficient cooling and squeezing of the torsional oscillator. Furthermore, the torsional oscillator with a macroscopic length scale can be prepared in Schr\"odinger cat-like state. Our work provides a platform to verify the validity of quantum mechanics in macroscopic systems on the micrometer and even centimeter scale.