The toolbox of quantum optics allows to achieve coherent quantum control over massive mechanical resonators by using radiation pressure of light inside optical cavities. Only recently, cavity-assisted ground state cooling of mechanical motion has been achieved both in the micro- and in the nanomechanical domain [1, 2]. Together with the strong coupling regime [3], this opens up a new parameter regime for macroscopic quantum physics with respect to size and mass of the objects under investigation. I will discuss the prospects of generating macroscopic quantum superposition states [4] and quantum entanglement [5], both for micromechanical interfaces for quantum information processing and for new tests of the foundations of quantum physics.
The toolbox of quantum optics allows to achieve coherent quantum control over massive mechanical resonators by using radiation pressure of light inside optical cavities. Only recently, cavity-assisted ground state cooling of mechanical motion has been achieved both in the micro- and in the nanomechanical domain [1, 2]. Together with the strong coupling regime [3], this opens up a new parameter regime for macroscopic quantum physics with respect to size and mass of the objects under investigation. I will discuss the prospects of generating macroscopic quantum superposition states [4] and quantum entanglement [5], both for micromechanical interfaces for quantum information processing and for new tests of the foundations of quantum physics.
The quantum regime of mechanical systems promises fascinating new fields of research both for applications and for fundamental physics. Quantum optics provides a well-developed toolbox to enter this regime. My talk will cover recent advances in quantum-opto-mechanical systems such as laser-cooling towards the quantum ground state. I will also discuss the prospects of generating quantum entanglement involving mechanical resonators, which is an important resource for quantum information processing and is also at he heart of Schrödinger's cat paradox.