arXiv:1601.01663 · Physical Review Letters
Measurement-Induced Macroscopic Superposition States in Cavity Optomechanics
Ulrich B. Hoff, Johann S. Kollath-Bönig, Jonas Schou Neergaard-Nielsen, Ulrik L. Andersen
Abstract
A novel protocol for generating quantum superpositions of macroscopically distinct states of a bulk mechanical oscillator is proposed, compatible with existing optomechanical devices operating in the bad-cavity limit. By combining a pulsed optomechanical quantum nondemolition (QND) interaction with nonclassical optical resources and measurement-induced feedback, the need for strong single-photon coupling is avoided. We outline a three-pulse sequence of QND interactions encompassing squeezing-enhanced cooling by measurement, state preparation, and tomography.