Generation of macroscopic Schrödinger cat state in diamond mechanical resonator

Dynamical entropic measure of nonclassicality of phase-dependent family of Schrödinger cat states

The phase-space approach based on the Wigner distribution function is used to study the quantum dynamics of the three families of the Schrödinger cat states identified as the even, odd, and Yurke-Stoler states. The considered states are formed by the superposition of two Gaussian wave packets localized on opposite sides of a smooth barrier in a dispersive medium and moving towards each other. The process generated by this dynamics is analyzed regarding the influence of the barrier parameters on the nonclassical properties of these states in the phase space below and above the barrier regime. The performed analysis employs entropic measure resulting from the Wigner-Rényi entropy for the fixed Rényi index. The universal relation of this entropy for the Rényi index equal one half with the nonclassicality parameter understood as a measure of the negative part of the Wigner distribution function is proved. This relation is confirmed in the series of numerical simulations for the considered states. Furthermore, the obtained results allowed the determination of the lower bound of the Wigner-Rényi entropy for the Rényi index greater than or equal to one half.

Phase-space studies of backscattering diffraction of defective Schrödinger cat states

The coherent superposition of two well separated Gaussian wavepackets, with defects caused by their imperfect preparation, is considered within the phase-space approach based on the Wigner distribution function. This generic state is called the defective Schrödinger cat state due to this imperfection which significantly modifies the interference term. Propagation of this state in the phase space is described by the Moyal equation which is solved for the case of a dispersive medium with a Gaussian barrier in the above-barrier reflection regime. Formally, this regime constitutes conditions for backscattering diffraction phenomena. Dynamical quantumness and the degree of localization in the phase space of the considered state as a function of its imperfection are the subject of the performed analysis. The obtained results allow concluding that backscattering communication based on the defective Schrödinger cat states appears to be feasible with existing experimental capabilities.

Preparing entangled states between two NV centers via the damping of nanomechanical resonators

We propose an efficient scheme for preparing entangled states between two separated nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in a spin-mechanical system via a dissipative quantum dynamical process. The proposal actively exploits the nanomechanical resonator (NAMR) damping to drive the NV centers to the target state through a quantum reservoir engineering approach. The distinct features of the present work are that we turn the detrimental source of noise into a resource and only need high-frequency low-Q mechanical resonators, which make our scheme more simple and feasible in experimental implementation. This protocol may have interesting applications in quantum information processing with spin-mechanical systems.

Magnetometry via spin-mechanical coupling in levitated optomechanics

We analyze magnetometry using an optically levitated nanodiamond. We consider a configuration where a magnetic field gradient couples the mechanical oscillation of the diamond with its spin degree of freedom provided by a nitrogen vacancy center. First, we investigate the measurement of the position spectrum of the mechanical oscillator. We find that conditions of ultrahigh vacuum and feedback cooling allow a magnetic field gradient sensitivity of 1μTm^-1/Hz. At high pressure and room temperature, this sensitivity degrades and can attain a value of the order of 100mTm^-1/Hz. Subsequently, we characterize the magnetic field gradient sensitivity obtainable by maneuvering the spin degrees of freedom using Ramsey interferometry. We find that this technique can offer photon-shot noise and spin-projection noise limited magnetic field gradient sensitivity of 100μTm^-1/Hz. We conclude that this hybrid levitated nanomechanical magnetometer provides a favorable and versatile platform for sensing applications.