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:2505.12865

Entangling two levitated particles in free space via trap modulation and Bayesian feedback

Jinke Cao, Qi Guo, Huatang Tan

Published May 19, 2025• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We propose an optimal control scheme for generating quantum entanglement between two optically-levitated nanoparticles in free space. Specifically, we consider that the mechanical motion frequencies of the two levitated particles are modulated by adjusting the amplitude of the trapping beam. The two particles are coupled through Coulomb interaction, and the particles' positions are continuously monitored via homodyne detection on the back-scattered light from both particles. By employing an optimal Bayesian feedback scheme, we achieve unconditional entanglement between the two particles in steady states. More precisely, a Kalman filter is used to estimate the states of the two particles and subsequently a linear quadratic regulator is applied to derive the optimal feedback forces exerted on the particles. Physically, periodic modulation enables significant quantum squeezing in both the common mode and the differential mode of the two particles. The Coulomb coupling between the particles introduces a difference in the squeezing of the two normal modes, thereby facilitating the entanglement of the two levitated particles. Our scheme allows for the realization of both conditional and unconditional entanglement at relatively low measurement efficiencies and with low requirements for Coulomb coupling strength, significantly enhancing the feasibility of implementation.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2505.12865

Related papers

Nonequilibrium entanglement between levitated masses under optimal control

Alexander N. Poddubny, Klemens Winkler, Benjamin A. Stickler +3 more

We present a protocol that maximizes unconditional entanglement generation between two masses interacting directly through $1/r^{n}$ potential. The protocol combines optimal quantum control of continuously measured masses with their non-equilibrium dynamics, driven by a time-dependent interaction strength. Applied to a pair of optically trapped sub-micron particles coupled via electrostatic interaction, our protocol enables unconditional entanglement generation at the fundamental limit of the conditional state and with an order of magnitude smaller interaction between the masses compared to the existing steady-state approaches.

arXiv:2408.06251•Aug 12, 2024•0 citations

Steady motional entanglement between two distant levitated nanoparticles

Guoyao Li, Zhang‐qi Yin

Quantum entanglement in macroscopic systems is not only essential for practical quantum information processing, but also valuable for the study of the boundary between quantum and the classical world. However, it is very challenging to achieve the steady remote entanglement between distant macroscopic systems. We consider two distant nanoparticles, both of which are optically trapped in two cavities. Based on the coherent scattering mechanism, we find that the ultrastrong optomechanical coupling between the cavity modes and the motion of the levitated nanoparticles could be achieved. The large and steady entanglement between the filtered output cavity modes and the motion of nanoparticles can be generated if the trapping laser is under the red sideband. Then through entanglement swapping, the steady motional entanglement between the distant nanoparticles can be realized. We numerically simulate and find that the two nanoparticles with 10 km distance can be entangled for the experimentally feasible parameters, even in room temperature environments. The generated continuous variable multipartite entanglement is the key to realizing the quantum enhanced sensor network and the sensitivity beyond the standard quantum limit.

arXiv:2111.11620•Optics Express•Jan 31, 2024•1 citation

Generating quantum entanglement between macroscopic objects with continuous measurement and feedback control

Daisuke Miki, Nobuyuki Matsumoto, Akira Matsumura +4 more

This paper is aimed at investigating the feasibility of generating quantum conditional entanglement between macroscopic mechanical mirrors in optomechanical systems while under continuous measurement and feedback control. We consider the squeezing of the states of the mechanical common and the differential motions of the mirrors by the action of measuring the common and the differential output light beams in the Fabry-P\'erot-Michelson interferometer. We carefully derive a covariance matrix for the mechanical mirrors in a steady state, employing the Kalman filtering problem with dissipative cavities. We demonstrate that Gaussian entanglement between the mechanical mirrors is generated when the states of the mechanical common and differential modes of the mirrors are squeezed with high purity in an asymmetric manner. Our results also show that quantum entanglement between 7-mg mirrors is achievable in the short term.

arXiv:2210.13169•Physical Review A•Mar 13, 2023•29 citations

Tuneable Gaussian entanglement in levitated nanoparticle arrays

Anil Kumar Chauhan, Ondřej Černotík, Radim Filip

Abstract Optically levitated nanoparticles emerged as an interesting platform for probing fundamental physics. Quantum control of their motion (including potential shaping) predisposes them for emulating various physical systems and studying quantum phenomena with massive objects. Extending these capabilities to quantum many-body systems requires feasible strategies to couple and entangle nanoparticles directly or via an optical bus. We propose a variable, deterministic scheme to generate Gaussian entanglement in the motional steady state of levitated nanoparticles using coherent scattering. Coupling multiple nanoparticles to a common cavity mode allows cooling of a collective Bogoliubov mode; cooling multiple Bogoliubov modes (by trapping each nanoparticle in multiple tweezers, each scattering into a separate cavity mode) removes most thermal noise, leading to strong entanglement. Numerical simulations for three nanoparticles show great tuneability of entanglement with realistic experimental parameters. Our proposal paves the way towards complex motional quantum states for advanced quantum sensing protocols and many-body quantum simulations.

arXiv:2206.07366•npj Quantum Information•Dec 28, 2022•15 citations

Quantum control of a nanoparticle optically levitated in cryogenic free space

Felix Tebbenjohanns, M. Luisa Mattana, Massimiliano Rossi +2 more

Abstract Tests of quantum mechanics on a macroscopic scale require extreme control over mechanical motion and its decoherence [1-4]. Quantum control of mechanical motion has been achieved by engineering the radiation pressure coupling between a micromechanical oscillator and the electromagnetic field in a resonator [5-8]. Furthermore, measurement-based feedback control relying on cavity-enhanced detection schemes has been used to cool micromechanical oscillators to their quantum ground states [9]. In contrast to mechanically tethered systems, optically levitated nanoparticles are particularly promising candidates for matter-wave experiments with massive objects [10,11], since their trapping potential is fully controllable. In this work, we optically levitate a femto-gram dielectric particle in cryogenic free space, which suppresses thermal effects sufficiently to make the measurement backaction the dominant decoherence mechanism. With an efficient quantum measurement, we exert quantum control over the dynamics of the particle. We cool its center-of-mass motion by measurement-based feedback to an average occupancy of 0.65 motional quanta, corresponding to a state purity of 43%. The absence of an optical resonator and its bandwidth limitations holds promise to transfer the full quantum control available for electromagnetic fields to a mechanical system. Together with the fact that the optical trapping potential is highly controllable, our experimental platform offers a route to investigating quantum mechanics at macroscopic scales [12,13].

arXiv:2103.03853•Nature•Jul 14, 2021•348 citations

Real-time optimal quantum control of mechanical motion at room temperature

Lorenzo Magrini, Philipp Rosenzweig, Constanze Bach +6 more

Abstract The ability to accurately control the dynamics of physical systems by measurement and feedback is a pillar of modern engineering1. Today, the increasing demand for applied quantum technologies requires adaptation of this level of control to individual quantum systems2, 3. Achieving this in an optimal way is a challenging task that relies on both quantum-limited measurements and specifically tailored algorithms for state estimation and feedback4. Successful implementations thus far include experiments on the level of optical and atomic systems5–7. Here we demonstrate real-time optimal control of the quantum trajectory8 of an optically trapped nanoparticle. We combine confocal position sensing close to the Heisenberg limit with optimal state estimation via Kalman filtering to track the particle motion in phase space in real time with a position uncertainty of 1.3 times the zero-point fluctuation. Optimal feedback allows us to stabilize the quantum harmonic oscillator to a mean occupation of 0.56 ± 0.02 quanta, realizing quantum ground-state cooling from room temperature. Our work establishes quantum Kalman filtering as a method to achieve quantum control of mechanical motion, with potential implications for sensing on all scales. In combination with levitation, this paves the way to full-scale control over the wavepacket dynamics of solid-state macroscopic quantum objects in linear and nonlinear systems.

•Jan 1, 2021•274 citations
We propose an optimal control scheme for generating quantum entanglement between two optically-levitated nanoparticles in free space. Specifically, we consider that the mechanical motion frequencies of the two levitated particles are modulated by adjusting the amplitude of the trapping beam. The two particles are coupled through Coulomb interaction, and the particles' positions are continuously monitored via homodyne detection on the back-scattered light from both particles. By employing an optimal Bayesian feedback scheme, we achieve unconditional entanglement between the two particles in steady states. More precisely, a Kalman filter is used to estimate the states of the two particles and subsequently a linear quadratic regulator is applied to derive the optimal feedback forces exerted on the particles. Physically, periodic modulation enables significant quantum squeezing in both the common mode and the differential mode of the two particles. The Coulomb coupling between the particles introduces a difference in the squeezing of the two normal modes, thereby facilitating the entanglement of the two levitated particles. Our scheme allows for the realization of both conditional and unconditional entanglement at relatively low measurement efficiencies and with low requirements for Coulomb coupling strength, significantly enhancing the feasibility of implementation.
We present a protocol that maximizes unconditional entanglement generation between two masses interacting directly through 1/rn1/r^{n}1/rn potential. The protocol combines optimal quantum control of continuously measured masses with their non-equilibrium dynamics, driven by a time-dependent interaction strength. Applied to a pair of optically trapped sub-micron particles coupled via electrostatic interaction, our protocol enables unconditional entanglement generation at the fundamental limit of the conditional state and with an order of magnitude smaller interaction between the masses compared to the existing steady-state approaches.
Quantum entanglement in macroscopic systems is not only essential for practical quantum information processing, but also valuable for the study of the boundary between quantum and the classical world. However, it is very challenging to achieve the steady remote entanglement between distant macroscopic systems. We consider two distant nanoparticles, both of which are optically trapped in two cavities. Based on the coherent scattering mechanism, we find that the ultrastrong optomechanical coupling between the cavity modes and the motion of the levitated nanoparticles could be achieved. The large and steady entanglement between the filtered output cavity modes and the motion of nanoparticles can be generated if the trapping laser is under the red sideband. Then through entanglement swapping, the steady motional entanglement between the distant nanoparticles can be realized. We numerically simulate and find that the two nanoparticles with 10 km distance can be entangled for the experimentally feasible parameters, even in room temperature environments. The generated continuous variable multipartite entanglement is the key to realizing the quantum enhanced sensor network and the sensitivity beyond the standard quantum limit.
This paper is aimed at investigating the feasibility of generating quantum conditional entanglement between macroscopic mechanical mirrors in optomechanical systems while under continuous measurement and feedback control. We consider the squeezing of the states of the mechanical common and the differential motions of the mirrors by the action of measuring the common and the differential output light beams in the Fabry-P\'erot-Michelson interferometer. We carefully derive a covariance matrix for the mechanical mirrors in a steady state, employing the Kalman filtering problem with dissipative cavities. We demonstrate that Gaussian entanglement between the mechanical mirrors is generated when the states of the mechanical common and differential modes of the mirrors are squeezed with high purity in an asymmetric manner. Our results also show that quantum entanglement between 7-mg mirrors is achievable in the short term.
Abstract Optically levitated nanoparticles emerged as an interesting platform for probing fundamental physics. Quantum control of their motion (including potential shaping) predisposes them for emulating various physical systems and studying quantum phenomena with massive objects. Extending these capabilities to quantum many-body systems requires feasible strategies to couple and entangle nanoparticles directly or via an optical bus. We propose a variable, deterministic scheme to generate Gaussian entanglement in the motional steady state of levitated nanoparticles using coherent scattering. Coupling multiple nanoparticles to a common cavity mode allows cooling of a collective Bogoliubov mode; cooling multiple Bogoliubov modes (by trapping each nanoparticle in multiple tweezers, each scattering into a separate cavity mode) removes most thermal noise, leading to strong entanglement. Numerical simulations for three nanoparticles show great tuneability of entanglement with realistic experimental parameters. Our proposal paves the way towards complex motional quantum states for advanced quantum sensing protocols and many-body quantum simulations.
Abstract Tests of quantum mechanics on a macroscopic scale require extreme control over mechanical motion and its decoherence [1-4]. Quantum control of mechanical motion has been achieved by engineering the radiation pressure coupling between a micromechanical oscillator and the electromagnetic field in a resonator [5-8]. Furthermore, measurement-based feedback control relying on cavity-enhanced detection schemes has been used to cool micromechanical oscillators to their quantum ground states [9]. In contrast to mechanically tethered systems, optically levitated nanoparticles are particularly promising candidates for matter-wave experiments with massive objects [10,11], since their trapping potential is fully controllable. In this work, we optically levitate a femto-gram dielectric particle in cryogenic free space, which suppresses thermal effects sufficiently to make the measurement backaction the dominant decoherence mechanism. With an efficient quantum measurement, we exert quantum control over the dynamics of the particle. We cool its center-of-mass motion by measurement-based feedback to an average occupancy of 0.65 motional quanta, corresponding to a state purity of 43%. The absence of an optical resonator and its bandwidth limitations holds promise to transfer the full quantum control available for electromagnetic fields to a mechanical system. Together with the fact that the optical trapping potential is highly controllable, our experimental platform offers a route to investigating quantum mechanics at macroscopic scales [12,13].
Abstract The ability to accurately control the dynamics of physical systems by measurement and feedback is a pillar of modern engineering1. Today, the increasing demand for applied quantum technologies requires adaptation of this level of control to individual quantum systems2, 3. Achieving this in an optimal way is a challenging task that relies on both quantum-limited measurements and specifically tailored algorithms for state estimation and feedback4. Successful implementations thus far include experiments on the level of optical and atomic systems5–7. Here we demonstrate real-time optimal control of the quantum trajectory8 of an optically trapped nanoparticle. We combine confocal position sensing close to the Heisenberg limit with optimal state estimation via Kalman filtering to track the particle motion in phase space in real time with a position uncertainty of 1.3 times the zero-point fluctuation. Optimal feedback allows us to stabilize the quantum harmonic oscillator to a mean occupation of 0.56 ± 0.02 quanta, realizing quantum ground-state cooling from room temperature. Our work establishes quantum Kalman filtering as a method to achieve quantum control of mechanical motion, with potential implications for sensing on all scales. In combination with levitation, this paves the way to full-scale control over the wavepacket dynamics of solid-state macroscopic quantum objects in linear and nonlinear systems.