• Featured in Physics
  • Editors' Suggestion

Observation of Quantum Motion of a Nanomechanical Resonator

Amir H. Safavi-Naeini, Jasper Chan, Jeff T. Hill, Thiago P. Mayer Alegre, Alex Krause, and Oskar Painter
Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 033602 – Published 17 January 2012
Physics logo See Viewpoint: Seeing the “Quantum” in Quantum Zero-Point Fluctuations

Abstract

In this Letter we use resolved sideband laser cooling to cool a mesoscopic mechanical resonator to near its quantum ground state (phonon occupancy 2.6±0.2), and observe the motional sidebands generated on a second probe laser. Asymmetry in the sideband amplitudes provides a direct measure of the displacement noise power associated with quantum zero-point fluctuations of the nanomechanical resonator, and allows for an intrinsic calibration of the phonon occupation number.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 14 September 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.033602

© 2012 American Physical Society

Viewpoint

Key Image

Seeing the “Quantum” in Quantum Zero-Point Fluctuations

Published 17 January 2012

A technique from ion spectroscopy reveals the quantum nature of a mechanical system at low temperature.

See more in Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Amir H. Safavi-Naeini, Jasper Chan, Jeff T. Hill, Thiago P. Mayer Alegre, Alex Krause, and Oskar Painter*

  • Thomas J. Watson, Sr., Laboratory of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA

  • *opainter@caltech.edu; http://copilot.caltech.edu

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 108, Iss. 3 — 20 January 2012

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×