Toros, M. , Bose, S. and Parker, B.F. (2021) Creating atom-nanoparticle quantum superpositions. Physical Review Research, 3, 033218. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.3.033218)
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Abstract
A nanoscale object evidenced in a nonclassical state of its center of mass will hugely extend the boundaries of quantum mechanics. To obtain a practical scheme for the same, we exploit a hitherto unexplored coupled system: an atom and a nanoparticle coupled by an optical field. We show how to control the center of mass of a large ∼ 500 -nm nanoparticle using the internal state of the atom so as to create, as well as detect, nonclassical motional states of the nanoparticle. Specifically, we consider a setup based on a silica nanoparticle coupled to a cesium atom and discuss a protocol for preparing and verifying a Schrödinger-cat state of the nanoparticle that does not require cooling to the motional ground state. We show that the existence of the superposition can be revealed using the Earth's gravitational field using a method that is insensitive to the most common sources of decoherence and works for any initial state of the nanoparticle.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Additional Information: | We acknowledge support from EPSRC Grant No. EP/N031105/1. M.T. acknowledges funding by the Leverhulme Trust (RPG-2020-197). |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Toros, Dr Marko |
Authors: | Toros, M., Bose, S., and Parker, B.F. |
College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy |
Journal Name: | Physical Review Research |
Publisher: | American Physical Society |
ISSN: | 2643-1564 |
ISSN (Online): | 2643-1564 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright 2021 The Authors |
First Published: | First published in Physical Review Research 3:033218 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence |
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