Internship and thesis proposals
Quantum entanglement of mechanical oscillators

Domaines
Quantum optics/Atomic physics/Laser
Condensed matter
Non-relativistic quantum field theory, quantum optics, complex quantum systems
Quantum information theory and quantum technologies
Quantum optics

Type of internship
Expérimental et théorique
Description
Similarly to a single atom, the motion of a massive, mesoscopic-scale mechanical resonator can behave quantum mechanically when cooled down to ultra-low temperatures. The study of quantum states of motion of such system has both fundamental and practical interests: as a test of quantum mechanics in systems beyond the few-particle ensembles, and its interplay with gravitation; or as a light-matter interface for the development of quantum communication networks, for storing and transducing quantum information. A mechanical resonator, such as the micrometer-sized disks fabricated in our team (picture below), also confines optical modes that strongly interact with the motion. Therefore, light provides a means to shape the quantum state of motion of such an object when prepared close to its ground state (the ‘phonon vacuum’), by adding or removing phonons one by one. Light also probes the obtained states. This internship/PhD thesis aims to realize multipartite quantum control, entanglement and superposition, in systems composed of several of these optomechanical resonators, either evanescently coupled or arranged in an interferometric configuration. This work will target in particular the generation of maximally-entangled GHZ states, of importance in quantum computing protocols, or N00N states, of interest for sensing with sub-standard quantum limit sensitivity, and offering the possibility to explore the concept of nonlocal influence in quantum mechanics.

Contact
Adrien Borne
Laboratory : MPQ - UMR7162
Team : LiMe
Team Website
/ Thesis :    Funding :