Objective Micro- and nanomechanical resonators are currently receiving enormous interest due to their potential as a new class of quantum systems, with possible impact ranging from the foundations of quantum physics, quantum limited sensing and quantum information processing. A particularly successful system is the optomechanical oscillator, where the radiation pressure of light is used to manipulate and read-out the dynamics of the mechanical system. To date experiments have demonstrated individually each key ingredient for the preparation of optomechanical systems in the quantum regime, however still operating in the classical domain. In this proposal we want to take the field one step further, by increasing the optomechanical coupling strength to a level where single-photon effects become dominant. In this regime, one can exploit the full non-linear character of the interaction. This will be achieved by designing and optimizing optomechanical crystals, a novel system where the photonic and phononic modes are localized in a single device, which have recently been developed by the outgoing host. These systems currently outperform all existing optomechanical devices in coupling strength and are ideal candidates for single-photon quantum optomechanics. Envisioned experiments range from answering fundamental questions in quantum physics to quantum information processing tasks - optomechanical crystals can be engineered on-chip, with the potential for realizing a mass-maufacturable quantum technology. Also, the frequencies of the optomechanical crystals can be designed to allow for ground-state preparation when cooled in a dilution refrigerator, which is an enabling regime for observing quantum effects even with coherent optical input fields. The ideal match of the expertise of the outgoing host and the experienced researcher in quantum optics and (quantum) opto-mechanics will result in ground-breaking new developments in this young and rapidly expanding field. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticscavity optomechanicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesatomic physicsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcomputer hardwarequantum computersnatural sciencesphysical sciencesquantum physicsquantum optics Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IOF - Marie Curie Action: "International Outgoing Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IOF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IOF - International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) Coordinator UNIVERSITAT WIEN EU contribution € 234 044,80 Address UNIVERSITATSRING 1 1010 Wien Austria See on map Region Ostösterreich Wien Wien Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Markus Aspelmeyer (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
