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Title: Quantum-measurement backaction from a Bose-Einstein condensate coupled to a mechanical oscillator

Journal Article · · Physical Review. A
; ; ;  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. B2 Institute, Department of Physics and College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 (United States)
  2. Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, MC 128-95, Pasadena, California 91125 (United States)
  3. Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 (United States)

We study theoretically the dynamics of a hybrid optomechanical system consisting of a macroscopic mechanical membrane magnetically coupled to a spinor Bose-Einstein condensate via a nanomagnet attached at the membrane center. We demonstrate that this coupling permits us to monitor indirectly the center-of-mass position of the membrane via measurements of the spin of the condensed atoms. These measurements normally induce a significant backaction on the membrane motion, which we quantify for the cases of thermal and coherent initial states of the membrane. We discuss the possibility of measuring this quantum backaction via repeated measurements. We also investigate the potential to generate nonclassical states of the membrane, in particular Schroedinger-cat states, via such repeated measurements.

OSTI ID:
22068583
Journal Information:
Physical Review. A, Vol. 84, Issue 2; Other Information: (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1050-2947
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English