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:2604.02175 · Physical Review Research

Shot-to-shot noise cancellation for parametric oscillators

Martynas Skrabulis, Martin Colombano Sosa, Nicola Carlon Zambon, Andrei Militaru, Massimiliano Rossi, Lukas Novotny, Martin Frimmer

quant-phSubmitted Apr 2, 2026• Announced Apr 3, 2026• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Powerful approaches to squeeze the motional state of a harmonic oscillator rely on the stepwise modulation of its resonance frequency. Such protocols can be limited by forces that vary slowly between experimental runs but are constant during a single experimental shot. Such shot-to-shot noise gives rise to a spread in experimental outcomes that masks the uncertainty intrinsic to quantum theory. Taking inspiration from spin-echo protocols, we propose a decoupling technique that, under ideal conditions, perfectly cancels shot-to-shot force noise in squeezing experiments based on parametric modulation. We implement the protocol using an optically levitated nanoparticle, where shot-to-shot force noise arises from slowly varying stray fields acting on the charge carried by the particle. Using our oscillator-echo protocol, we demonstrate shot-to-shot noise suppression to the measurement-backaction limit.

Related papers

Shot-to-Shot Displacement Noise in State-Expansion Protocols with Inverted Potentials

Giuseppe Paolo Seta, Louisiane Devaud, Lorenzo Dania +2 more

Optically levitated nanoparticles are promising candidates for the generation of macroscopic quantum states of mechanical motion. Protocols to generate such states expose the particle to a succession of different potentials. Limited reproducibility of the alignment of these potentials across experimental realizations introduces additional noise. Here, we experimentally investigate and model how such shot-to-shot noise limits the coherence length of a levitated nanoparticle during a state-expansion protocol using a dark, inverted electrical potential. We identify electric stray fields and mechanical instabilities as major sources of shot-to-shot fluctuations. We discuss the resulting experimental requirements for state-expansion protocols exploiting inverted potentials.

Physical Review Letters•Mar 2, 2026•3 citations

Shot-to-Shot Displacement Noise in State-Expansion Protocols with Inverted Potentials

Giuseppe Paolo Seta, Louisiane Devaud, Lorenzo Dania +2 more

Optically levitated nanoparticles are promising candidates for the generation of macroscopic quantum states of mechanical motion. Protocols to generate such states expose the particle to a succession of different potentials. Limited reproducibility of the alignment of these potentials across experimental realizations introduces additional noise. Here, we experimentally investigate and model how such shot-to-shot noise limits the coherence length of a levitated nanoparticle during a state-expansion protocol using a dark, inverted electrical potential. We identify electric stray fields and mechanical instabilities as major sources of shot-to-shot fluctuations. We discuss the resulting experimental requirements for state-expansion protocols exploiting inverted potentials.

•Mar 27, 2026•0 citations

Shot-to-shot displacement noise in state-expansion protocols with inverted potentials

Giuseppe Paolo Seta, Louisiane Devaud, Lorenzo Dania +2 more

Optically levitated nanoparticles are promising candidates for the generation of macroscopic quantum states of mechanical motion. Protocols to generate such states expose the particle to a succession of different potentials. Limited reproducibility of the alignment of these potentials across experimental realizations introduces additional noise. Here, we experimentally investigate and model how such shot-to-shot noise limits the coherence length of a levitated nanoparticle during a state-expansion protocol using a dark, inverted electrical potential. We identify electric stray fields and mechanical instabilities as major sources of shot-to-shot fluctuations. We discuss the resulting experimental requirements for state expansion protocols exploiting inverted potentials.

quant-pharXiv:2512.11633•Dec 15, 2025•0 citations

Quantum measurement and control of a mechanical parametric oscillator

Alex Szorkovszky

Unlike classical systems, the very act of observing quantum systems perturbs their behaviour. This introduces noise, which imposes limits on the knowledge that can be obtained through measurement. Certain measurement techniques, known generally as quantum non-demolition (QND) measurements, exist to circumvent this noise. An alternative method to evade backaction noise is to amplify the observable of interest above the noise. However, this generally leaves the system in a different state, and is therefore not considered a QND measurement. In this thesis, I examine the benefits of amplification for various kinds of measurement of mechanical harmonic oscillators which, at the micrometre and nanometre scale, comprise an emerging quantum technology. For this prototypical case, modulation of the spring constant, also known as parametric amplification, is a well-studied noiseless amplification technique. Using the theory of trajectories developed in the field of quantum optics, I show that a weak measurement combined with a detuned parametric drive achieves the same ends as strong QND measurement. Namely, it allows backaction-free observation of one quadrature of mechanical motion, and through this, quantum squeezing below the quantum zero-point motion. This equivalence is experimentally confirmed in the classical limit using an optically detected, electrically modulated cantilever. In addition, I analyse similar amplification enhanced techniques for quantum entanglement and quantum tomography. These results are applicable to research in quantum optomechanics and electromechanics, and can be translated to other kinds of quantum harmonic oscillators, such as microwave cavities.

•Nov 30, 2014•1 citation

Quantum squeezing of a levitated nanomechanical oscillator

Mitsuyoshi Kamba, Naoki Hara, K. Aikawa

Manipulating the motion of macroscopic objects near their quantum mechanical uncertainties has been desired in diverse fields, including fundamental physics, sensing, and transducers. Despite progress in ground-state cooling of a levitated solid particle, realizing its nonclassical states has been elusive. Here, we demonstrate quantum squeezing of the motion of a single nanoparticle by rapidly varying its oscillation frequency. We reveal appreciable narrowing of the velocity variance to -4.9 ± 0.1 decibels of that of the ground state using free-expansion measurements. Our work shows that a levitated nanoparticle offers an ideal platform for studying nonclassical states of its motion and provides a route to developing applications in quantum sensing and exploring quantum mechanics at a macroscopic scale.

arXiv:2504.17944•Science•Sep 18, 2025•19 citations

Squeezed Light from a Levitated Nanoparticle at Room Temperature

Lorenzo Magrini, V. A. Camarena-Chávez, Constanze Bach +2 more

Quantum measurements of mechanical systems can generate optical squeezing via ponderomotive forces. Its observation requires high environmental isolation and efficient detection, typically achieved by using cryogenic cooling and optical cavities. Here, we realize these conditions by measuring the position of an optically levitated nanoparticle at room temperature and without the overhead of an optical cavity. We use a fast heterodyne detection to reconstruct simultaneously orthogonal optical quadratures, and observe a noise reduction of 9%±0.5% below shot noise. Our experiment offers a novel, cavityless platform for squeezed-light enhanced sensing. At the same time it delineates a clear and simple strategy toward observation of stationary optomechanical entanglement.

arXiv:2202.09322•Physical Review Letters•Jul 25, 2022•37 citations
Powerful approaches to squeeze the motional state of a harmonic oscillator rely on the stepwise modulation of its resonance frequency. Such protocols can be limited by forces that vary slowly between experimental runs but are constant during a single experimental shot. Such shot-to-shot noise gives rise to a spread in experimental outcomes that masks the uncertainty intrinsic to quantum theory. Taking inspiration from spin-echo protocols, we propose a decoupling technique that, under ideal conditions, perfectly cancels shot-to-shot force noise in squeezing experiments based on parametric modulation. We implement the protocol using an optically levitated nanoparticle, where shot-to-shot force noise arises from slowly varying stray fields acting on the charge carried by the particle. Using our oscillator-echo protocol, we demonstrate shot-to-shot noise suppression to the measurement-backaction limit.
Optically levitated nanoparticles are promising candidates for the generation of macroscopic quantum states of mechanical motion. Protocols to generate such states expose the particle to a succession of different potentials. Limited reproducibility of the alignment of these potentials across experimental realizations introduces additional noise. Here, we experimentally investigate and model how such shot-to-shot noise limits the coherence length of a levitated nanoparticle during a state-expansion protocol using a dark, inverted electrical potential. We identify electric stray fields and mechanical instabilities as major sources of shot-to-shot fluctuations. We discuss the resulting experimental requirements for state-expansion protocols exploiting inverted potentials.
Optically levitated nanoparticles are promising candidates for the generation of macroscopic quantum states of mechanical motion. Protocols to generate such states expose the particle to a succession of different potentials. Limited reproducibility of the alignment of these potentials across experimental realizations introduces additional noise. Here, we experimentally investigate and model how such shot-to-shot noise limits the coherence length of a levitated nanoparticle during a state-expansion protocol using a dark, inverted electrical potential. We identify electric stray fields and mechanical instabilities as major sources of shot-to-shot fluctuations. We discuss the resulting experimental requirements for state-expansion protocols exploiting inverted potentials.
Optically levitated nanoparticles are promising candidates for the generation of macroscopic quantum states of mechanical motion. Protocols to generate such states expose the particle to a succession of different potentials. Limited reproducibility of the alignment of these potentials across experimental realizations introduces additional noise. Here, we experimentally investigate and model how such shot-to-shot noise limits the coherence length of a levitated nanoparticle during a state-expansion protocol using a dark, inverted electrical potential. We identify electric stray fields and mechanical instabilities as major sources of shot-to-shot fluctuations. We discuss the resulting experimental requirements for state expansion protocols exploiting inverted potentials.
Unlike classical systems, the very act of observing quantum systems perturbs their behaviour. This introduces noise, which imposes limits on the knowledge that can be obtained through measurement. Certain measurement techniques, known generally as quantum non-demolition (QND) measurements, exist to circumvent this noise. An alternative method to evade backaction noise is to amplify the observable of interest above the noise. However, this generally leaves the system in a different state, and is therefore not considered a QND measurement. In this thesis, I examine the benefits of amplification for various kinds of measurement of mechanical harmonic oscillators which, at the micrometre and nanometre scale, comprise an emerging quantum technology. For this prototypical case, modulation of the spring constant, also known as parametric amplification, is a well-studied noiseless amplification technique. Using the theory of trajectories developed in the field of quantum optics, I show that a weak measurement combined with a detuned parametric drive achieves the same ends as strong QND measurement. Namely, it allows backaction-free observation of one quadrature of mechanical motion, and through this, quantum squeezing below the quantum zero-point motion. This equivalence is experimentally confirmed in the classical limit using an optically detected, electrically modulated cantilever. In addition, I analyse similar amplification enhanced techniques for quantum entanglement and quantum tomography. These results are applicable to research in quantum optomechanics and electromechanics, and can be translated to other kinds of quantum harmonic oscillators, such as microwave cavities.
Manipulating the motion of macroscopic objects near their quantum mechanical uncertainties has been desired in diverse fields, including fundamental physics, sensing, and transducers. Despite progress in ground-state cooling of a levitated solid particle, realizing its nonclassical states has been elusive. Here, we demonstrate quantum squeezing of the motion of a single nanoparticle by rapidly varying its oscillation frequency. We reveal appreciable narrowing of the velocity variance to -4.9 ± 0.1 decibels of that of the ground state using free-expansion measurements. Our work shows that a levitated nanoparticle offers an ideal platform for studying nonclassical states of its motion and provides a route to developing applications in quantum sensing and exploring quantum mechanics at a macroscopic scale.
Quantum measurements of mechanical systems can generate optical squeezing via ponderomotive forces. Its observation requires high environmental isolation and efficient detection, typically achieved by using cryogenic cooling and optical cavities. Here, we realize these conditions by measuring the position of an optically levitated nanoparticle at room temperature and without the overhead of an optical cavity. We use a fast heterodyne detection to reconstruct simultaneously orthogonal optical quadratures, and observe a noise reduction of 9%±0.5% below shot noise. Our experiment offers a novel, cavityless platform for squeezed-light enhanced sensing. At the same time it delineates a clear and simple strategy toward observation of stationary optomechanical entanglement.