2009/06/04 by J. B. Hertzberg, Jared Hertzberg, Tristan O. Rocheleau +8 · 6 citations
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Action (physics) #Advanced MEMS and NEMS Technologies #Classical mechanics #Coupling (piping) #Electronic engineering #Engineering #Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications #Mechanical and Optical Resonators #Optics #Optomechanics #Parametric statistics #Physics #Position (finance) #Quantum #Quantum limit #Quantum mechanics #Resonator #Sensitivity (control systems) #cond-mat.mes-hall
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/nphys1479
19 pages (double-spaced) including 4 figures and references
arxiv created 2009/06/04 · openalex publication_date 2009/12/06 · arxiv updated 2015/05/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
When performing continuous measurements of position with sensitivity approaching quantum mechanical limits, one must confront the fundamental effects of detector back-action. Back-action forces are responsible for the ultimate limit on continuous position detection, can also be harnessed to cool the observed structure, and are expected to generate quantum entanglement. Back-action can also be evaded, allowing measurements with sensitivities that exceed the standard quantum limit, and potentially allowing for the generation of quantum squeezed states. We realize a device based on the parametric coupling between an ultra-low dissipation nanomechanical resonator and a microwave resonator. Here we demonstrate back-action evading (BAE) detection of a single quadrature of motion with sensitivity 4 times the quantum zero-point motion, back-action cooling of the mechanical resonator to n = 12 quanta, and a parametric mechanical pre-amplification effect which is harnessed to achieve position resolution a factor 1.3 times quantum zero-point motion.