Optomechanics for quantum technologies

• Published in: Nature physics Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 15 - 24
• Main Authors: Barzanjeh, Shabir, Xuereb, André, Gröblacher, Simon, Paternostro, Mauro, Regal, Cindy A., Weig, Eva M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.01.2022; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 639/766/400/3925; 639/766/400/482; 639/766/483/1139; Atomic; Classical and Continuum Physics; Complex Systems; Condensed Matter Physics; Entanglement; Mathematical and Computational Physics; Mechanical systems; Molecular; Optical and Plasma Physics; Opto-mechanics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Platforms; Review Article; Signal processing; Theoretical
• ISSN: 1745-2473; 1745-2481
• DOI: 10.1038/s41567-021-01402-0

The ability to control the motion of mechanical systems through interaction with light has opened the door to a plethora of applications in fundamental and applied physics. With experiments routinely reaching the quantum regime, the focus has now turned towards creating and exploiting interesting non-classical states of motion and entanglement in optomechanical systems. Quantumness has also shifted from being the very reason why experiments are constructed to becoming a resource for the investigation of fundamental physics and the creation of quantum technologies. Here, by focusing on opto- and electromechanical platforms we review recent progress in quantum state preparation and entanglement of mechanical systems, together with applications to signal processing and transduction, quantum sensing and topological physics, as well as small-scale thermodynamics. Interaction with light can be used to precisely control motional states. This Review surveys recent progress in the preparation of non-classical mechanical states and in the application of optomechanical platforms to specific tasks in quantum technology.