Home Team Research Publications Photos Contact

Measure what is measurable, and make measurable what is not [yet] so — Galileo Galilei


Cavity Quantum Optomechanics

Light exerts a force when it reflects from an object. This radiation-pressure force is a central tool in optomechanics, which aims to utilise the tools of quantum optics to prepare and study quantum states of motion of a mechanical resonator. We pursue research questions addressing the very foundations of physics and develop optomechanical quantum technologies. Some examples of our recent work in quantum optomechanics includes:



Quantum Acoustics via Brillouin Optomechanics



Using Brillouin scattering provides a promising new avenue to pursue quantum science and technology. Some of our recent work in this area includes:

  • Performing the first experimental demonstration of Brillouin optomechanical strong coupling to high frequency phonons [Optica 6, 7 (2019)].
  • Experimentally performing single-phonon addition or subtraction to a mechanical thermal state via Brillouin scattering [Physical Review Letters 126, 033601 (2021)].
  • Advancing the state-of-the-art for optics-based mechanical state tomography and observing non-Gaussianity generated via single- and multi-phonon subtraction to a small thermal state [Physical Review Letters 127, 243601 (2021)].
  • Experimentally exploring second-order coherence across the Brilouin lasing threshold [Optica 10, 1432 (2023)].

Towards Table-Top Tests of Quantum Gravity

How does gravity affect quantum states of massive objects? Can we find experimental signatures that help light the path to a theory of quantum gravity? Our team is motivated by these, and related, questions and uses quantum optomechanics as an experimental test-bed to search for potential quantum-gravitational phenomena. Some of our recent work in this area includes:

  • Developing a scheme how to probe quantum-gravity-induced deformations to the canonical commutator between position and momentum (test the generalized uncertainty principle, GUP)
    [Nature Physics 8, 393 (2012)].
  • Proposing a technique to amplify the signal-to-noise ratio of our commutator-probing scheme using an extended pulse sequence
    [Physical Review A 96, 023849 (2017)].
  • Studying and contrasting the predictions made by classical and quantum physics for optomechanical protocols using closed loops in phase-space (geometric phases)
    [Physical Review A 93, 063862 (2016)].


Hybrid Quantum Systems

Hybrid quantum systems combine the functionalities of two or more experimental systems in order to best utilize the advantages that each system affords or for quantum transduction/networking applications. Some of our recent work in this area includes:



Quantum Photonics


The quantum control of light is central to numerous experiments that aim to test the fundamentals of physics and develop new quantum technologies. We are pursuing both experiment and theory in quantum photonics and are interested in quantum sensing, simulation, and information applications. Some of our recent work in this area includes: