Cooling of a levitated nanoparticle to the motional quantum ground state

Quantum control of complex objects in the regime of large size and mass provides opportunities for sensing applications and tests of fundamental physics. The realization of such extreme quantum states of matter remains a major challenge. We demonstrate a quantum interface that combines optical trapp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2020-02, Vol.367 (6480), p.892-895
Main Authors: Delić, Uroš, Reisenbauer, Manuel, Dare, Kahan, Grass, David, Vuletić, Vladan, Kiesel, Nikolai, Aspelmeyer, Markus
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cooling
Lasers
Mechanics (Physics)
Nanoparticles
Quantum Mechanics
Scientific Concepts
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Summary:Quantum control of complex objects in the regime of large size and mass provides opportunities for sensing applications and tests of fundamental physics. The realization of such extreme quantum states of matter remains a major challenge. We demonstrate a quantum interface that combines optical trapping of solids with cavity-mediated light-matter interaction. Precise control over the frequency and position of the trap laser with respect to the optical cavity allowed us to laser-cool an optically trapped nanoparticle into its quantum ground state of motion from room temperature. The particle comprises 10 atoms, similar to current Bose-Einstein condensates, with the density of a solid object. Our cooling technique, in combination with optical trap manipulation, may enable otherwise unachievable superposition states involving large masses.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.aba3993