Lorenzo Dania, Oscar Schmitt Kremer, Johannes Piotrowski, Davide Candoli, Jayadev Vijayan, Oriol Romero-Isart, Carlos Gonzalez-Ballestero, Lukas Novotny, Martin Frimmer
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Exploiting quantum effects in a mechanical oscillator, such as back-action-evading measurements or squeezing of the mechanical degrees of freedom, requires the oscillator to be prepared in a high-purity quantum state. The largest state purities in optomechanics to date have been achieved with costly cryogenic cooling combined with coupling to electromagnetic resonators driven with a coherent radiation field. Here we use coherent scattering into a Fabry–Pérot cavity to cool the megahertz-frequency librational mode of an optically levitated silica nanoparticle from room temperature to its quantum ground state. We use sideband thermometry to infer a phonon population of 0.04 quanta under optimal conditions, corresponding to a state purity of 92%. The purity reached by our room-temperature experiment exceeds the performance offered by mechanically clamped oscillators in a cryogenic environment, establishing a platform for high-purity quantum optomechanics at room temperature.
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