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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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