Quantum from Classical: Creation of Quantum States of Motion in Nanomechanical Resonators

经典中的量子：在纳米机械谐振器中创建量子运动态

• 批准号: 1507400
• 负责人: Alexander Rimberg
• 金额: $ 68.26万
• 依托单位: Dartmouth College
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-08-01 至 2019-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1507400&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Quantum; Classical; Creation; States; Motion

Non-technical abstractIt is well understood that the physical behavior of macroscopic objects like baseballs or planets is described very accurately by the laws of classical physics developed by Newton and familiar to many from a course in freshman physics. It is equally well understood that the behavior of microscopic objects like atoms and molecules is described by the much more mysterious and counterintuitive laws of quantum physics. What is not clear is exactly where the boundary between classical behavior and quantum behavior lies. In order to investigate this question, this research will examine the behavior of mechanical systems that would normally behave classically, with the goal of causing them to instead behave quantum mechanically. This will be accomplished by using a superconducting device to cause very strong coupling between light and a mechanical resonator; the light will be used to both induce and read out the quantum behavior. Investigations of this sort will better delineate the border between classical and quantum physics, and help us understand the influence of quantum phenomena on the everyday world around us. Two graduate students will be supported by this project, and will be trained in such experimental techniques as microwave measurement, nanoscale fabrication and low-temperature physics that are widely used both in academia and in high-technology industry. Technical abstractThe research supported by this grant will investigate the nature of the boundary between classical and quantum physics by study of systems consisting of a small mechanical resonator strongly coupled to a superconducting microwave cavity. Coupling between the two will be mediated by a single Cooper pair transistor (a superconducting device that transfers Cooper pairs one by one). The presence of the Cooper pair transistor will allow a very strong, nonlinear coupling between photons in the cavity and quantum lattice vibrations (phonons) in the mechanical resonator. This coupling will be so strong, in fact, that it should be possible to measure or influence a single phonon with a single photon. By making use of this strong, nonlinear coupling, it should be possible to use photons in the microwave cavity to induce highly quantum mechanical states of motion in the mechanical resonator. A detailed study of this interaction could lead to a better understanding of the interface between quantum and classical behavior. Two graduate students will be supported by this project, and will be trained in such experimental techniques as microwave measurement, nanoscale fabrication and low-temperature physics that are widely used both in academia and in high-technology industry.

非技术摘要众所周知，像棒球或行星这样的宏观物体的物理行为是由牛顿提出的经典物理定律非常准确地描述的，并且许多人在新生物理课程中都熟悉这些定律。 同样众所周知的是，原子和分子等微观物体的行为是由更加神秘和违反直觉的量子物理定律描述的。 目前尚不清楚的是经典行为和量子行为之间的界限到底在哪里。 为了研究这个问题，本研究将检查通常表现经典的机械系统的行为，目的是使它们表现出量子力学的行为。 这将通过使用超导装置在光和机械谐振器之间产生非常强的耦合来实现；光将用于诱导和读出量子行为。 此类研究将更好地划定经典物理学和量子物理学之间的界限，并帮助我们了解量子现象对我们周围日常生活的影响。 该项目将资助两名研究生，接受学术界和高科技行业广泛使用的微波测量、纳米制造和低温物理等实验技术的培训。 技术摘要 这项资助支持的研究将通过研究由与超导微波腔强耦合的小型机械谐振器组成的系统来研究经典物理学和量子物理学之间边界的性质。 两者之间的耦合将由单个库珀对晶体管（一种逐一传输库珀对的超导器件）来介导。 库珀对晶体管的存在将允许腔中的光子与机械谐振器中的量子晶格振动（声子）之间产生非常强的非线性耦合。 事实上，这种耦合非常强，以至于可以用单个光子来测量或影响单个声子。 通过利用这种强非线性耦合，应该可以使用微波腔中的光子在机械谐振器中诱导高度量子力学的运动状态。 对这种相互作用的详细研究可以更好地理解量子行为和经典行为之间的界面。 该项目将资助两名研究生，接受学术界和高科技行业广泛使用的微波测量、纳米制造和低温物理等实验技术的培训。