Squeezing of Quantum Noise of Motion in a Micromechanical Resonator

J. M. Pirkkalainen, E. Damskägg, M. Brandt, F. Massel, M. A. Sillanpää

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

326 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A pair of conjugate observables, such as the quadrature amplitudes of harmonic motion, have fundamental fluctuations that are bound by the Heisenberg uncertainty relation. However, in a squeezed quantum state, fluctuations of a quantity can be reduced below the standard quantum limit, at the cost of increased fluctuations of the conjugate variable. Here we prepare a nearly macroscopic moving body, realized as a micromechanical resonator, in a squeezed quantum state. We obtain squeezing of one quadrature amplitude 1.1±0.4 dB below the standard quantum limit, thus achieving a long-standing goal of obtaining motional squeezing in a macroscopic object.

Original languageEnglish
Article number243601
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume115
Issue number24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Dec 2015
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Squeezing of Quantum Noise of Motion in a Micromechanical Resonator'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this