Studying mechanical resonators via radiation pressure offers a rich avenue for the exploration of quantum mechanical behavior in a macroscopic regime. However, quantum state preparation and especially quantum state reconstruction of mechanical oscillators remains a significant challenge. Here we propose a scheme to realize quantum state tomography, squeezing, and state purification of a mechanical resonator using short optical pulses. The scheme presented allows observation of mechanical quantum features despite preparation from a thermal state and is shown to be experimentally feasible using optical microcavities. Our framework thus provides a promising means to explore the quantum nature of massive mechanical oscillators and can be applied to other systems such as trapped ions.Studying mechanical resonators via radiation pressure offers a rich avenue for the exploration of quantum mechanical behavior in a macroscopic regime. However, quantum state preparation and especially quantum state reconstruction of mechanical oscillators remains a significant challenge. Here we propose a scheme to realize quantum state tomography, squeezing, and state purification of a mechanical resonator using short optical pulses. The scheme presented allows observation of mechanical quantum features despite preparation from a thermal state and is shown to be experimentally feasible using optical microcavities. Our framework thus provides a promising means to explore the quantum nature of massive mechanical oscillators and can be applied to other systems such as trapped ions.

arXiv:1011.0879Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesSep 7, 2011279 citations

Generation and tomographic analysis of novel quantum light states

Zavatta A., Viciani S., Valentina Parigi +1 more

Jan 1, 20050 citations

Generation and tomographic analysis of quantum states of light

Zavatta A., Valentina Parigi, Bellini M.

Jan 1, 20080 citations

Adiabatic stabilization against photoionization: An experimental study

M. P. de Boer, J. H. Hoogenraad, Rutger B. Vrijen +3 more

We describe a detailed account of an experiment demonstrating light-induced stabilization against photoionization. The choice of initial state and atom is discussed in relation to the laser wavelength and laser pulse duration. In combination with a 100-fs, 620-nm probe pulse, the optimum choice is the circular 5g state in neon. A picosecond pump laser was used to prepare this Rydberg state. Initially, the population in this state was probed with a nanosecond laser pulse. Subsequently, the nanosecond probe pulse was replaced by an intense, (sub)picosecond pulse and the photoionization signal was studied. When the probe intensity is several times ${10}^{13}$ W/ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ a decrease in yield with respect to a less intense pulse with the same fluence is observed, which indicates stabilization. The results are in accordance with recent theoretical predictions.We describe a detailed account of an experiment demonstrating light-induced stabilization against photoionization. The choice of initial state and atom is discussed in relation to the laser wavelength and laser pulse duration. In combination with a 100-fs, 620-nm probe pulse, the optimum choice is the circular 5g state in neon. A picosecond pump laser was used to prepare this Rydberg state. Initially, the population in this state was probed with a nanosecond laser pulse. Subsequently, the nanosecond probe pulse was replaced by an intense, (sub)picosecond pulse and the photoionization signal was studied. When the probe intensity is several times ${10}^{13}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ a decrease in yield with respect to a less intense pulse with the same fluence is observed, which indicates stabilization. The results are in accordance with recent theoretical predictions.

Physical Review ANov 1, 199495 citations

Photon-counting statistics of pulsed light sources

Roy S. Bondurant, Prem Kumar, Jeffrey H. Shapiro +1 more

We report measurement of the photon-counting distributions of nanosecond-duration light pulses. Photon counting is performed on light sources with widely different photon statistics, such as (1) a Q-switched Nd:YAG-laserpumped dye laser operating well above threshold and producing single-mode nanosecond pulses, (2) the same laser operating close to threshold, and (3) a rotating ground-glass aberrator illuminated by the laser pulses of case (1). The method is particularly suitable for the investigation of the statistics of light generated by the nonlinear interaction of radiation with matter.We report measurement of the photon-counting distributions of nanosecond-duration light pulses. Photon counting is performed on light sources with widely different photon statistics, such as (1) a Q-switched Nd:YAG-laserpumped dye laser operating well above threshold and producing single-mode nanosecond pulses, (2) the same laser operating close to threshold, and (3) a rotating ground-glass aberrator illuminated by the laser pulses of case (1). The method is particularly suitable for the investigation of the statistics of light generated by the nonlinear interaction of radiation with matter.

Optics LettersNov 1, 198215 citations

{10}^{13}

{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}

a decrease in yield with respect to a less intense pulse with the same fluence is observed, which indicates stabilization. The results are in accordance with recent theoretical predictions.