Hannover 2016 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 42: Poster: Quantum Optics and Photonics III

Q 42.44: Poster

Wednesday, March 2, 2016, 16:30–19:00, Empore Lichthof

Hybrid optomechanics with cold atoms and a nanomechanical membrane — Thomas Karg, •Andreas Jöckel, Aline Faber, Tobias Kampschulte, Lucas Béguin, and Philipp Treutlein — Departement Physik, Universität Basel, Schweiz

Hybrid systems in which a mechanical degree of freedom is coupled to a microscopic quantum system promise control and detection of mechanical motion at the quantum level. This will open up possibilities for precision sensing, quantum signal transduction and fundamental tests of quantum mechanics. In our experiment we study the interaction of a cold atomic ensemble with a silicon nitride membrane inside an optical cavity. Long-distance coupling between the two is established by an optical standing wave that is reflected from the cavity. Recently this mechanism has been exploited to sympathetically cool the membrane’s fundamental vibrational mode from room temperature to below 1 Kelvin [1].
Here we will report on the status of a new experimental setup. We are implementing a new cryogenic optomechanical system with larger optomechanical cooperativity and an atomic ensemble with large optical depth in a far-detuned dipole trap. With these improvements we plan to couple the membrane oscillator to collective spin excitations of the atomic ensemble [2], allowing us to achieve strong coupling between the two systems.
[1] Jöckel et al., Nature Nanotechnology 10, 55-59 (2015).
[2] Vogell et al., New Journal of Physics 17, 043044 (2015).