Postselected optomechanical superpositions

ORAL

Abstract

We present a scheme for achieving macroscopic quantum superpositions in weakly coupled optomechanical systems by using single photon postselection. This method allows the creation of macroscopic superpositions with currently achievable device parameters, and allows observation of decoherence on a timescale unconstrained by the system's optical decay time. This method relieves many of the challenges associated with previous optical schemes for measuring macroscopic superpositions, and only requires the devices to be in the weak coupling regime. Prospects for observing novel decoherence mechanisms are also discussed.

Authors

  • Brian Pepper

    UC Santa Barbara

  • Roohollah Ghobadi

    University of Calgary / Sharif University of Technology

  • Evan Jeffrey

    University of Leiden

  • Christoph Simon

    IQIS, University of Calgary, University of Calgary

  • Dirk Bouwmeester

    UC Santa Barbara / University of Leiden