A quantum of solid

Science Daily  January 30, 2020
Quantum control of complex objects in the regime of large size and mass provides opportunities for sensing applications and tests of fundamental physics. An international team of researchers (Austria, MIT) has demonstrated a quantum interface that combines optical trapping of solids with cavity-mediated light matter interaction. Precise control over the frequency and position of the trap laser with respect to the optical cavity allows laser-cooling an optically trapped nanoparticle into its quantum ground state of motion from room temperature. The cooling, in combination with optical trap manipulation, may enable otherwise unachievable superposition states involving large masses…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE