Quantum vibrations – sound waves shake photonic quantum technologies

Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany and Institute for Photonics, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany

Abstract

In physics experiments, mechanical and acoustic vibrations are often considered as disturbing noise and a nuisance. For example, the field of optomechanics came to life because of gravitation waves. To achieve the extreme sensitivity required to detect tiny distortions in spacetime caused by passing gravitational waves, it is crucial to overcome any noisy environments.