Preparing macroscopic mechanical quantum superpositions via photon detection

Huiping Zhan, Gaoxiang Li, and Huatang Tan
Phys. Rev. A 101, 063834 – Published 26 June 2020

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a feasible scheme for generating the Schrödinger-cat-like states of a macroscopic mechanical resonator in pulsed cavity optomechanics via photon detection. Starting with cooling the mechanical oscillator to its ground state, a red pulse and a blue pulse with different powers are simultaneously employed to dissipatively generate squeezed mechanical states. Subsequently, a second red pulse is utilized to achieve large-amplitude mechanical catlike states with high fidelities, conditioned on the multiphoton detection of cavity output and assisted by squeezing injection into the cavity. This combination effectively overcomes the difficulty that only a kitten can be produced by single-photon detection. Finally, after being stored in the resonator for a period of time during which thermal effect is analytically revealed, the mechanical quantum superpositions are mapped, with a third red pulse, to the cavity output field for state verification. Our scheme is generic and can also be used to produce other kinds of non-Gaussian mechanical states, such as optical-catalysis nonclassical states.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
1 More
  • Received 11 October 2019
  • Accepted 3 June 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.101.063834

©2020 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & Optical

Authors & Affiliations

Huiping Zhan, Gaoxiang Li, and Huatang Tan*

  • Department of Physics, Huazhong Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China

  • *tht@mail.ccnu.edu.cn

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 101, Iss. 6 — June 2020

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review A

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×