Physics Colloquium, June 3, 2008
Probing the Quantum Limits of Mechanical Structures Keith Schwab

Cornell University

The technology is in hand to produce and measure mechanical structures composed on many billions of atoms at quantum mechanical limits. These structures offer the possibility to experimentally and quantitatively probe the boundary between the classical and quantum world. I will describe our recent set of experiments where we have demonstrated the closest approach to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, the quantum ground state, and back-action cooling of mechanical structures, achieved by coupling to optical and electronic resonances. Future experiments will involve integrating superconducting electronics such as microwave cavities and qubits which will allow the preparation, detection, and study of squeezed, superposition, and entangled mechanical states.

Dr. Schwab's Web Site

4:00 p.m., Physics Research Building (PRB), Room 1080

Reception at 3:45 p.m., Atrium, PRB