260103 VU Advanced Methods in quantum optomechanics: from atoms to solids (2021W)

This course aims to explore the field of quantum optomechanics with a special emphasis on optically trapped atoms and levitated solid-state objects. Levitated optomechanics is at the forefront of research in quantum optics. The lectures will cover fundamental concepts and provide students with a firm grasp of the subject. In-depth calculations during the lectures will further deepen understanding of the most important concepts. Lectures will sometimes be organized as a flipped classroom.
We will cover following topics in the lectures:
1 Optical levitation: optical tweezers, gradient and scattering force on dielectric nanoparticles, harmonic oscillator. Basic concepts of optical cavities.
2 Classical theory of light-matter interaction: feedback and cavity cooling
3 Quantization of light and motion: input-output formalism, thermal bath model (Caldeira-Leggett model)
4 Quantization of light and motion: interaction Hamiltonian, Langevin equations, ground state cooling, thermometry
5 Optomechanics with atoms and levitated nanoparticles
6 Mode hybridization
7 Quantum effects: entanglement, squeezing, sub-SQL detection
8 Force sensing and fundamental physics

Method: Lectures and exercises will require active participation. Lectures will be organized mostly as a knowledge transfer and occasionally as flipped classroom. Materials will be made available to students on Moodle.

Outcome: Students will get acquainted with research methods in quantum optomechanics. The students will acquire fundamental understanding of broad set of topics: optical trapping, power spectral densities (evaluation of system properties in frequency/Fourier domain), plotting and fitting of harmonic oscillator motion, (quantum) harmonic oscillator and dissipation, light-matter interaction, entanglement