Quantum nondemolition measurement of light intensity fluctuations in an optomechanical experiment
Year: 2017
Authors: Pontin A., Bonaldi M., Borrielli A., Marconi L., Marino F., Pandraud G., Prodi GA., Sarro PM., Serra E., Marin F.
Autors Affiliation: Univ Firenze, Dipartimento Fis & Astron, Via Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy; Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Firenze, Via Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy; Inst Mat Elect & Magnetism, Nanosci Trento FBK Div, I-38123 Povo, TN, Italy; Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, TIFPA, I-38123 Povo, TN, Italy; CNR, INO, Lgo Enrico Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Delft Univ Technol, Else Kooi Lab, NL-2628 Delft, Netherlands; Univ Trento, Dipartimento Fis, I-38123 Povo, TN, Italy; LENS, Via Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
Abstract: Summary form only given. According to quantum mechanics, there exists a class of observables for which is possible to confine the perturbation produced by a continuous measurement to the conjugate variable. Therefore, it is possible to devise experimental schemes that allow estimating the observed variable with arbitrary accuracy, or preparing it in a well-known state. Such schemes are referred to as quantum non-demolition measurements (QND). Among these observables there is the amplitude of the light field. Indeed, it is possible to exploit a movable mirror to implement a QND scheme [1]. Intensity fluctuations of an optical field impinging on it are not affected by the interaction. However, the movable mirror is excited by the associated radiation pressure. This, in turn, affects the phase of the field.We have performed an optomechanical experiment, based on a Fabry-Pérot cavity in which the end mirror is a high Q micro-mechanical device [2], where we have simultaneously measured intensity fluctuations of the field reflected by the cavity and the mirror motion imprinted in the phase fluctuations. By exploiting the correlations between these variables, we demonstrate a reduced uncertainty on intensity fluctuations actually achieving a sub-shot noise level.
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KeyWords: Electro-Optics