Abstract: Quantum control of mechanical motion has been achieved in a surprising range of platforms in the past decades. These mechanical quantum systems have both piqued the curiosity of physicists, and enabled new approaches to difficult tasks in manipulating quantum information. Trapped particles offer one opportunity to study isolated quantum motion. Laser-cooled ions routinely demonstrate intriguing phonon control, and recent experiments have now brought trapped dielectric nanoparticles to their quantum ground state. In this talk I describe how time of flight combined with trap evolution can map the full quantum state of a trapped neutral particle. I will present this intuitive method through experiments with a single atom in a non-classical motional state in an optical tweezer, and discuss future applicability to larger mass particles. Single atoms in optical tweezers are now a ubiquitous tool for quantum science, and I will also use this opportunity to tell you how these experiments isolate single neutral atoms in the first place.
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Physics Colloquia are Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. in the JILA Auditorium.
Coffee, tea and cookies will be available in G1B31 (across from G1B20) from 3:30 - 3:50 p.m.