arXiv · 1603.08613
Quantum and classical control of single photon states via a mechanical resonator
Abstract
Optomechanical systems typically use light to control the quantum state of a mechanical resonator. In this paper, we propose a scheme for controlling the quantum state of light using the mechanical degree of freedom as a controlled beam splitter. Preparing the mechanical resonator in non-classical states enables an optomechanical Stern-Gerlach interferometer. When the mechanical resonator has a small coherent amplitude it acts as a quantum control, entangling the optical and mechanical degrees of freedom. As the coherent amplitude of the resonator increases, we recover single photon and two-photon interference via a classically controlled beam splitter. The visibility of the two-photon interference is particularly sensitive to coherent excitations in the mechanical resonator and this could form the basis of an optically transduced weak-force sensor.
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Sahar Basiri-Esfahani, Casey R Myers, Joshua Combes, G. J. Milburn. 2016-06-20. Quantum and classical control of single photon states via a mechanical resonator. https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630%2F18%2F6%2F063023
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