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Cavity Quantum Optomechanics

Michael R Vanner

University of Vienna

3:30 pm Friday, 22 January 2010, EN101 (Ground Floor, EN Building), Hawthorn.

The field of optomechanics explores light-matter interactions between a massive mechanical object and typically an optical cavity field, where coupling is commonly achieved by radiation pressure or the optical dipole force. Emerging predominantly from considerations of photon back-action on mirror position in optical interferometry approximately four decages ago, optomechanics is now receiving a surge of interest for its potential to contribute to quantum limited measurements, applied science, such as force sensing and fundamental science, such as quantum state preparation of a macroscopic object.

After introducing the basic elements of optomechanical interaction, I will report two recent experiments with a deformable Fabry-Perot cavity: a) laser cooling of a mechanical resonator in a cryogenic environment and b) strong coupling between the intracavity field and a mechanical oscillator, similar to the situation in cavity quantum electrodynamics.

While significant control has been attained, quantum state preparation and reconstruction remains as a highly sought, yet elusive, experimental goal. I will present a novel route employing remote state preparation that proposes the generation and characterisation of a squeezed mechanical state despite initial thermal occupation.

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