Continuous Optical-to-Mechanical Quantum State Transfer in the Unresolved Sideband Regime

(Received January accepted published 2023) Optical-to-mechanical quantum state transfer is an important capability for future quantum networks, quantum communication, and distributed quantum sensing. However, existing continuous state transfer protocols operate in the resolved sideband regime, necessitating a high-quality optical cavity and a high mechanical resonance frequency. Here, we propose a continuous protocol that operates in the unresolved sideband regime. The protocol is based on feedback cooling, can be implemented with current technology, and is able to transfer non-Gaussian quantum states with high fidelity. Our protocol significantly expands the kinds of optomechanical devices for which continuous optical-to-mechanical state transfer is possible, paving the way toward quantum technological applications and the preparation of macroscopic super-positions to test the fundamentals of quantum science.

Automated summary

This study proposes a continuous protocol based on feedback cooling that operates in the unresolved sideband regime, which has significant implications for optical-to-mechanical quantum state transfer.