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Free keywords:
Quantum Physics, quant-ph
Abstract:
We propose and investigate a hybrid optomechanical system consisting of a
micro-mechanical oscillator coupled to the internal states of a distant
ensemble of atoms. The interaction between the systems is mediated by a light
field which allows to couple the two systems in a modular way over long
distances. Coupling to internal degrees of freedom of atoms opens up the
possibility to employ high-frequency mechanical resonators in the MHz to GHz
regime, such as optomechanical crystal structures, and to benefit from the rich
toolbox of quantum control over internal atomic states. Previous schemes
involving atomic motional states are rather limited in both of these aspects.
We derive a full quantum model for the effective coupling including the main
sources of decoherence. As an application we show that sympathetic ground-state
cooling and strong coupling between the two systems is possible.
