Single-polariton optomechanics

Phys Rev Lett. 2014 Jan 10;112(1):013601. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.013601. Epub 2014 Jan 3.

Abstract

This Letter investigates a hybrid quantum system combining cavity quantum electrodynamics and optomechanics. The Hamiltonian problem of a photon mode coupled to a two-level atom via a Jaynes-Cummings coupling and to a mechanical mode via radiation pressure coupling is solved analytically. The atom-cavity polariton number operator commutes with the total Hamiltonian leading to an exact description in terms of tripartite atom-cavity-mechanics polarons. We demonstrate the possibility to obtain cooling of mechanical motion at the single-polariton level and describe the peculiar quantum statistics of phonons in such an unconventional regime.