Peter Rabl
Institute for Theoretical Atomic and Molecular Physics
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
A Nano-Mechanical Quantum Transducer for
Spin-Spin Interactions
The demonstration of laser cooling techniques in opto-mechanical systems has recently attracted a lot of interest in micro- and nano-mechanical devices. Ground state cooling of the vibrational modes of micrometer-sized objects is within reach and is seen as the first big step towards the study of quantum mechanics on a macroscopic scale. However, apart from a fundamental interest in these systems only little is known about actual applications where the quantum nature of the mechanical resonator plays a crucial role. In this talk I will discuss potential applications for nano-mechanical systems in the context of quantum information processing, where the mechanical resonator acts as a coherent quantum transducer between magnetic, electric and optical forces. As an example I will focus on solid state spins qubits which are coupled to the motion of magnetized mechanical resonators via magnetic field gradients. Provided that the resonator is charged, the magnetic moments associated with spin qubits can be effectively amplified to enable a coherent spin-spin coupling over distances exceeding 100 micrometers via Coulomb forces. I will discuss generalizations of this basic coupling scheme for the design and control of multi-spin interactions under realistic conditions. In the last part of my talk I will show that similar ideas in combination with opto-mechanical elements can be used to create a coherent interface between spins and photons with applications for long-distance quantum communication.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Room F235, Technological Institute
Refreshments are served at 11:30 PM
