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arXiv:1707.00025 · Physical Review A

Quantum limits to gravity estimation with optomechanics

Federico Armata, Ludovico Latmiral, A. D. K. Plato, M. S. Kim

Published Oct 11, 2017• 55 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We present a table-top quantum estimation protocol to measure the gravitational acceleration $g$ by using an optomechanical cavity. In particular, we exploit the nonlinear quantum light-matter interaction between an optical field and a massive mirror acting as mechanical oscillator. The gravitational field influences the system dynamics affecting the phase of the cavity field during the interaction. Reading out such a phase carried by the radiation leaking from the cavity, we provide an estimate of the gravitational acceleration through interference measurements. Contrary to previous studies, having adopted a fully quantum description, we are able to propose a quantum analysis proving the ultimate bound to the estimability of the gravitational acceleration and verifying optimality of homodyne detection. Noticeably, thanks to the light-matter decoupling at the measurement time, no initial cooling of the mechanical oscillator is demanded in principle.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.96.043824

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Optomechanical systems offer a promising platform for observing dynamical signatures of quantum gravity through precision measurements of quantum harmonic oscillator dynamics. However, most existing analyses consider only the linear radiation-pressure interaction while neglecting higher-order optomechanical couplings and laser phase noise. These neglected contributions can be comparable in magnitude to the predicted quantum-gravity corrections and may therefore introduce spurious signals or mask the genuine physical effect. Here we reanalyze two experimentally realized platforms, a Fabry-Perot optomechanical system and a membrane-in-the-middle optomechanical system, by incorporating the complete nonlinear dynamics and realistic laser phase noise. Using measured device parameters, we derive revised protocols for generalized uncertainty principle tests and establish practical sensitivity bounds. Our results demonstrate that previous idealized estimates significantly overestimate the achievable resolution, underscoring the necessity of including higher-order interactions and implementing effective laser phase noise suppression in realistic assessments of optomechanical quantum gravity tests.
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We present an ongoing optomechanical experiment aimed at detecting gravitational interaction between milligram-scale oscillators, and exploring its interplay with quantum mechanics. The setup employs two microfabricated oscillators coupled via gravity and read out through a high-finesse optical cavity, at ultra-cryogenic temperature. Finite element simulations, noise modelling, and sensitivity estimates demonstrate that gravitational coupling can be detected with integration times ranging from minutes to hours. The experiment establishes a realistic platform for probing gravitational effects in systems approaching the quantum regime.
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