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Ground state detection of a mesoscopic object
The motional ground state of a mesoscopic object opens the door to the quantum world with large objects. For the interogation of the object`s state, a good detection is indispensable. This project aims at the implementation of a detection scheme for levitated nanoparticles a high finesse cavity.
**Ground state detection of a mesoscopic object – A master project in the Nanophotonic Systems Laboratory (NSL)**
We are looking for a curious and motivated master student, who wants to join our young & international NSL group and implement ground state detection in our current experiment that works towards quantum cavity optomechanics with levitated nanoparticles.
**Project background:**
Quantum mechanics is a very successful and well-established theory on the microscale. A manifold of breakthrough experiments using atoms, ions and even large molecules have proven many astonishing predictions made by Quantum mechanics. Nevertheless, our everyday world behaves classical. In order to shed light on the transition between the quantum and classical world, we developed an experimental platform based on Levitodynamics to prepare a mesoscopic particle in its motional ground state.
In our experiment we levitate our nanoparticle with the help of optical tweezers inside a high finesse, optical cavity. We use passive cooling mechanisms to cool the center of mass motion close to the mechanical ground state. In order to detect we will apply calibration free sideband asymmetry measurements.
**Project description:**
Your project aims at the generation, characterization and implementation of an independent probe beam that detects the nanoparticle inside the cavity. Due to the large free spectral range, the probe beam needs to be frequency shifted by more than ten GHz while still controlling the relative frequency difference in the kHz range. For this you will use a commercial evaluation board and adapt it to the experimental needs. Your work will be mainly experimental.
**Working in our group:**
We offer you close supervision through PhD and Postdocs but also expect that you work independently and consistently. In your project, you will get into contact with a multitude of technologies like optics, lasers, electronics, data evaluation and vacuum technology among others.
If we sparked your interest, contact us nmeyer@ethz.ch or rquidant@ethz.ch
**Ground state detection of a mesoscopic object – A master project in the Nanophotonic Systems Laboratory (NSL)**
We are looking for a curious and motivated master student, who wants to join our young & international NSL group and implement ground state detection in our current experiment that works towards quantum cavity optomechanics with levitated nanoparticles.
**Project background:** Quantum mechanics is a very successful and well-established theory on the microscale. A manifold of breakthrough experiments using atoms, ions and even large molecules have proven many astonishing predictions made by Quantum mechanics. Nevertheless, our everyday world behaves classical. In order to shed light on the transition between the quantum and classical world, we developed an experimental platform based on Levitodynamics to prepare a mesoscopic particle in its motional ground state. In our experiment we levitate our nanoparticle with the help of optical tweezers inside a high finesse, optical cavity. We use passive cooling mechanisms to cool the center of mass motion close to the mechanical ground state. In order to detect we will apply calibration free sideband asymmetry measurements.
**Project description:** Your project aims at the generation, characterization and implementation of an independent probe beam that detects the nanoparticle inside the cavity. Due to the large free spectral range, the probe beam needs to be frequency shifted by more than ten GHz while still controlling the relative frequency difference in the kHz range. For this you will use a commercial evaluation board and adapt it to the experimental needs. Your work will be mainly experimental.
**Working in our group:** We offer you close supervision through PhD and Postdocs but also expect that you work independently and consistently. In your project, you will get into contact with a multitude of technologies like optics, lasers, electronics, data evaluation and vacuum technology among others.
If we sparked your interest, contact us nmeyer@ethz.ch or rquidant@ethz.ch