Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1705.10334 · npj Quantum Information

Deterministic preparation of highly non-classical macroscopic quantum states

Ludovico Latmiral, Florian Mintert

Published Sep 12, 2018• 13 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract We present a scheme to deterministically prepare non-classical quantum states of a massive mirror including highly non-Gaussian states exhibiting sizeable negativity of the Wigner function. This is achieved by exploiting the non-linear light–matter interaction in an optomechanical cavity by driving the system with optimally designed frequency patterns. Our scheme reveals to be resilient against mechanical and optical damping, as well as mechanical thermal noise and imperfections in the driving scheme. Our proposal thus opens a promising route for table-top experiments to explore and exploit macroscopic quantum phenomena.

DOI
10.1038/s41534-018-0093-z

Related papers

Deterministic preparation of highly non-classical quantum states of massive oscillators

Ludovico Latmiral, Florian Mintert

We present a scheme to deterministically prepare non-classical quantum states of a massive mirror including highly non-Gaussian states exhibiting sizeable negativity of the Wigner function. This is achieved by exploiting the non-linear light-matter interaction in an optomechanical cavity by driving the system with optimally designed frequency patterns. Our scheme reveals to be resilient against mechanical and optical damping, as well as mechanical thermal noise and imperfections in the driving scheme. Our proposal thus opens a promising route for table-top experiments to explore and exploit macroscopic quantum phenomena.

•May 29, 2017•0 citations

Macroscopic superposition states of a mechanical oscillator in an optomechanical system with quadratic coupling

Hong Xie, Xiao Shang, Chang-Geng Liao +2 more

We present a proposal to prepare the macroscopic superposition states of a mechanical oscillator in an optomechanical system with quadratic coupling. By coherently driving the optomechanical cavity with an external field, a Kerr-type interaction among phonons is induced. The macroscopic mechanical superposition can be generated by exploiting the Kerr nonlinearity in the mechanical oscillator, just as the generation of a nonclassical state of light in a Kerr medium. One merit of our proposal is that the Kerr nonlinearity can be strongly enhanced by adjusting the amplitude of the driving field. The influence of the system damping on the realization of mechanical non-Gaussian state is discussed by the negativity of the Wigner function. The results show that the macroscopic superposition states are robust against the mechanical thermal noise.

Physical Review A•Sep 4, 2019•24 citations

Deterministic Mechanical Wigner Negativity via Nonlinear Cavity Quantum Optomechanics in the Unresolved-Sideband Regime

Clarke, Jack, Pascal Neveu, Ewold Verhagen +1 more

Non-Gaussian quantum states of mechanical motion exhibiting Wigner negativity offer promising capabilities for quantum technologies and tests of fundamental physics. Within the field of cavity quantum optomechanics, it is commonly held that deterministic preparation of mechanical Wigner negativity in the unresolved-sideband regime is not possible, as the intracavity interaction Hamiltonian is linear in mechanical position. Here, we show that, despite this, by accounting for the nonlinearity of the cavity response with mechanical position, mechanical Wigner negativity can be prepared deterministically in the unresolved-sideband regime, without additional nonlinearities, nonclassical drives, or conditional measurements. In particular, we find that Wigner negativity can be prepared with an optical pulse, even without single-photon strong coupling, and the negativity persists in the steady state of a continuously driven system. Our results deepen our understanding of cavity-enhanced radiation pressure and establish a pathway for deterministic preparation of nonclassical mechanical states in the unresolved sideband regime.

arXiv:2505.01942•May 3, 2025•1 citation

Generation of macroscopic quantum superpositions of optomechanical oscillators by dissipation

Huatang Tan, Francesco Bariani, Gao‐xiang Li +1 more

We propose a scheme that exploits the combined effects of nonlinear dynamics and dissipation to generate macroscopic quantum superpositions in massive optomechanical oscillators. The effective degenerate three-wave mixing interaction between the mechanical and optical cavity modes that results from quadratic optomechanical coupling, together with the cavity dissipation, can result in the existence of dark macroscopic superpositions. We show analytically and confirm numerically that various quantum superpositions can be achieved deterministically, depending on the initial state of the mechanics. The effects of mechanical damping are also studied in detail and quantified by the negativity of the Wigner function. The present scheme can be realized in various optomechanical systems with current technology.

Physical Review A•Aug 12, 2013•76 citations

Deterministic preparation of nonclassical states of light in cavity optomechanics

Yuxun Ling, Florian Mintert

Cavity-optomechanics is an ideal platform for the generation non-Gaussian quantum states due to the anharmonic interaction between the light field and the mechanical oscillator, but it is exactly this interaction that also impedes the preparation of pure states of the light field. In this paper we derive a driving protocol that helps to exploit the anharmonic interaction for state preparation and that ensures that the state of the light field remains close to pure. This shall enable the deterministic preparation of photon Fock states or coherent superpositions thereof.

arXiv:2102.12116•Physical Review Research•Jul 20, 2021•4 citations

Deterministic macroscopic quantum superpositions of motion via quadratic optomechanical coupling

Huatang Tan, Francesco Bariani, Gao‐xiang Li +1 more

We propose a scheme to prepare macroscopic quantum superpositions of motion in optomachanical nano- or micromechanical oscillators quadratically coupled to an intracavity field. The nonlinear optomechanical coupling leads to an effective degenerate three-wave mixing interaction between the mechanical and cavity modes. The quantum superpositions result from the combined effects of the interaction and cavity dissipation. We show analytically and confirm numerically that various deterministic quantum superpositions can be achieved, depending on initial mechanical state. The effect of mechanical damping is also studied in detail via the negativity of the Wigner function. The present scheme can be realized in various optomechanical systems with current technology.

arXiv:1302.7087•APS•Feb 28, 2013•1 citation
Abstract We present a scheme to deterministically prepare non-classical quantum states of a massive mirror including highly non-Gaussian states exhibiting sizeable negativity of the Wigner function. This is achieved by exploiting the non-linear light–matter interaction in an optomechanical cavity by driving the system with optimally designed frequency patterns. Our scheme reveals to be resilient against mechanical and optical damping, as well as mechanical thermal noise and imperfections in the driving scheme. Our proposal thus opens a promising route for table-top experiments to explore and exploit macroscopic quantum phenomena.
We present a scheme to deterministically prepare non-classical quantum states of a massive mirror including highly non-Gaussian states exhibiting sizeable negativity of the Wigner function. This is achieved by exploiting the non-linear light-matter interaction in an optomechanical cavity by driving the system with optimally designed frequency patterns. Our scheme reveals to be resilient against mechanical and optical damping, as well as mechanical thermal noise and imperfections in the driving scheme. Our proposal thus opens a promising route for table-top experiments to explore and exploit macroscopic quantum phenomena.
We present a proposal to prepare the macroscopic superposition states of a mechanical oscillator in an optomechanical system with quadratic coupling. By coherently driving the optomechanical cavity with an external field, a Kerr-type interaction among phonons is induced. The macroscopic mechanical superposition can be generated by exploiting the Kerr nonlinearity in the mechanical oscillator, just as the generation of a nonclassical state of light in a Kerr medium. One merit of our proposal is that the Kerr nonlinearity can be strongly enhanced by adjusting the amplitude of the driving field. The influence of the system damping on the realization of mechanical non-Gaussian state is discussed by the negativity of the Wigner function. The results show that the macroscopic superposition states are robust against the mechanical thermal noise.
Non-Gaussian quantum states of mechanical motion exhibiting Wigner negativity offer promising capabilities for quantum technologies and tests of fundamental physics. Within the field of cavity quantum optomechanics, it is commonly held that deterministic preparation of mechanical Wigner negativity in the unresolved-sideband regime is not possible, as the intracavity interaction Hamiltonian is linear in mechanical position. Here, we show that, despite this, by accounting for the nonlinearity of the cavity response with mechanical position, mechanical Wigner negativity can be prepared deterministically in the unresolved-sideband regime, without additional nonlinearities, nonclassical drives, or conditional measurements. In particular, we find that Wigner negativity can be prepared with an optical pulse, even without single-photon strong coupling, and the negativity persists in the steady state of a continuously driven system. Our results deepen our understanding of cavity-enhanced radiation pressure and establish a pathway for deterministic preparation of nonclassical mechanical states in the unresolved sideband regime.
We propose a scheme that exploits the combined effects of nonlinear dynamics and dissipation to generate macroscopic quantum superpositions in massive optomechanical oscillators. The effective degenerate three-wave mixing interaction between the mechanical and optical cavity modes that results from quadratic optomechanical coupling, together with the cavity dissipation, can result in the existence of dark macroscopic superpositions. We show analytically and confirm numerically that various quantum superpositions can be achieved deterministically, depending on the initial state of the mechanics. The effects of mechanical damping are also studied in detail and quantified by the negativity of the Wigner function. The present scheme can be realized in various optomechanical systems with current technology.
Cavity-optomechanics is an ideal platform for the generation non-Gaussian quantum states due to the anharmonic interaction between the light field and the mechanical oscillator, but it is exactly this interaction that also impedes the preparation of pure states of the light field. In this paper we derive a driving protocol that helps to exploit the anharmonic interaction for state preparation and that ensures that the state of the light field remains close to pure. This shall enable the deterministic preparation of photon Fock states or coherent superpositions thereof.
We propose a scheme to prepare macroscopic quantum superpositions of motion in optomachanical nano- or micromechanical oscillators quadratically coupled to an intracavity field. The nonlinear optomechanical coupling leads to an effective degenerate three-wave mixing interaction between the mechanical and cavity modes. The quantum superpositions result from the combined effects of the interaction and cavity dissipation. We show analytically and confirm numerically that various deterministic quantum superpositions can be achieved, depending on initial mechanical state. The effect of mechanical damping is also studied in detail via the negativity of the Wigner function. The present scheme can be realized in various optomechanical systems with current technology.