Preparation and characterization of non-Gaussian states of motion in circuit quantum acoustodynamics

Circuit quantum acoustodynamics (cQAD) integrates mechanical resonators with superconducting circuits, combining the high-quality factor and compact footprint of mechanical modes with the strong nonlinearity of Josephson junctions. This platform has potential applications in quantum technologies, such as quantum simulations and quantum sensing using mechanical degrees of freedom.

This talk explores the preparation of non-Gaussian states of motion in mechanical resonators using optimal control techniques. We then establish criteria to quantify their non-Gaussianity, for example in terms of their metrological advantage, and apply these criteria to characterize the states we have prepared experimentally.