Optomechanics in the microwave regime for quantum technologies and fundamental sciences

在过去的二十年里，量子科学和技术取得了令人难以置信的进步，从量子物理的基础研究发展成为一个跨学科的研究领域。虽然历史上的实验使用单个电子或原子/离子来展示显着的效果（例如粒子波二象性，纠缠），但现在很多努力都集中在控制系统的量子特性上，这些系统越来越复杂。这种方法不仅有望进一步加深我们对量子力学的理解，而且还可以将量子态用于诸如传感或量子网络实现等技术应用。在这种情况下，机械系统特别有前途，因为它们可以精确设计，并在不同的电磁模式之间提供良好的接口。对于不能复制信息的量子信息处理，这种方法因此构成了通过机械模式在可见光和微波波长之间传递信息的有希望的候选方法。这种被称为量子转导的操作构成了实现能够处理量子信息的网络的关键技术要素。然而，微波、可见光和机械三种模式之间的相互作用强度仍然太弱，无法处理单光子中包含的信息。本研究旨在进一步推动复杂光电混合系统的控制。为了改善机电耦合（微波和力学之间），我们最近展示了一种新的方法，其中力学调制电路的电感，与电容耦合相比，提供了一个数量级以上的改进。利用我们方法的多功能性，我们将追求两个主要目标：(i)换能器和（ii）传感器。(i)我们将开发基于感应电力学的量子换能器，旨在达到高单光子效率。这将使远程量子处理器之间的量子信息传输成为可能，这是一种通过分布式计算提高量子计算机性能的有前途的方法。（ii）我们还将研究使用机电系统进行惯性/加速度感应。事实上，通过实现更大的耦合，可以更快地提取信息，同时减少由测量引起的反作用。这种方法特别有希望实现在量子力学定律允许的基本极限下运行的机械传感器，与经典系统相比具有明显的优势。总的来说，通过这个发现项目，我们的目标是开发量子信息处理和传感的关键技术，为在一个不断增长的领域创建加拿大初创公司创造机会。此外，复杂混合系统的研究也将导致有趣的发现，其中量子力学强烈影响介观物体的动力学。

Over the last two decades, quantum sciences and technologies have made incredible progress, evolving from fundamental studies in quantum physics to a cross-disciplinary research field. While historic experiments used single electrons or atoms/ions to demonstrate remarkable effects (e.g. particle-wave duality, entanglement), now a lot of efforts are focused on controlling the quantum properties of systems with increasing complexity. This approach is not only promising to further our understanding of quantum mechanics, but also enables the use of quantum states for technological applications such as sensing or the realisation of quantum networks. In this context, mechanical systems are particularly promising as they can be precisely engineered and provide an excellent interface between different electromagnetic modes. For quantum information processing, where information cannot be copied, this approach thus constitutes a promising candidate to transfer information between visible and microwave wavelengths through a mechanical mode. This operation, called quantum transduction, constitute a key technological element to realise networks capable of handling quantum information. Nevertheless, the interaction strengths between the three modes - microwave, visible and mechanical - are still too weak to process information contained in single photons. With this research we aim to push further the control of complex hybrid opto-electromechanical systems. To improve the electromechanical coupling (between microwave and mechanics), we recently demonstrated a novel approach where the mechanics modulates the inductance of the circuit, providing an improvement of more than an order of magnitude compared to capacitive coupling. Capitalising on the versatility of our approach, we will pursue two main objectives: (i) transducers and (ii) sensors. (i), we will develop quantum transducers based on inductive electromechanics, aiming to reach high single-photon efficiencies. This will enable the transfer of quantum information between distant quantum processors, a promising approach to improve the performances of quantum computer via distributed computing. (ii), we will also work on the use of electromechanical systems for inertial/acceleration sensing. Indeed, by achieving larger couplings information can be extracted faster while reducing the back-action induced by the measure. This approach is particularly promising to realise mechanical sensors operating at the fundamental limits allowed by the laws of quantum mechanics, providing a clear advantage over classical systems. Overall, with this Discovery program we aim to develop key technologies for quantum information processing as well as sensing, generating opportunities for the creation of Canadian start-up companies in a growing sector. Furthermore, the study of complex hybrid systems will also lead to interesting discoveries where quantum mechanics strongly influence the dynamics of mesoscopic objects.