High-purity quantum optomechanics at room temperature

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. Observing quantum effects in a mechanical oscillator requires it to be close to a pure quantum state, rather than a thermal mixture. Here a librational mode of a levitated nanoparticle is cooled close to its ground state without using cryogenics.