Single-phonon addition and subtraction to a mechanical thermal state

Georg Enzian, John J. Price, Lars Freisem, Joshua Nunn, Jiri Janousek, Ben C. Buchler, Ping Koy Lam, Michael R. Vanner

Research output: Working paper / PreprintWorking paper

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Abstract

Adding or subtracting a single quantum of excitation to a thermal state of a bosonic system has the counter-intuitive effect of approximately doubling its mean thermal occupation. We perform the first experimental demonstration of this effect outside optics by implementing single-phonon addition and subtraction to a thermal state of a mechanical oscillator via Brillouin optomechanics in an optical whispering-gallery microresonator. Using a detection scheme that combines single-photon counting and optical heterodyne detection, we observe this doubling of the mechanical thermal fluctuations to a high precision. The capabilities of this joint click-dyne detection scheme adds a significant new dimension for optomechanical quantum science and applications.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 3 Dec 2020

Publication series

NamearXiv
PublisherCornell University

Bibliographical note

Submitted to arXiv for peer review on 14th May 2020. Accepted in Physical Review Letters on 7/12/2020

Keywords

  • quant-ph
  • cond-mat.mes-hall
  • physics.optics

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