Erwin Schrödinger Center for Quantum Science & Technology (ESQ)

Realization of large quantum states of massive solid-state objects is one of the central foci of quantum physics. Optical levitation of dielectric nanoparticles has emerged as a promising candidate due to the possibility to arbitrarily shape trap potentials, which enables Hamiltonian engineering and arrays of trapped particles. Within this ESQ Discovery project we will demonstrate ultrastrong light-matter coupling of a single levitated nanoparticle with an optical cavity mode. Operation in this regime will allow us to generate light-matter correlations with non-trivial ground states and large mechanical squeezing.

The ESQ Discovery grant allows early career researchers to explore out-of-the-box ideas along their established research interests, thus providing a great boost for their academic careers.