We present a novel proposal for generating quantum superpositions of macroscopically distinct states of a bulk mechanical oscillator, compatible with existing optomechanical devices operating in the readily achievable bad-cavity limit. The scheme is based on a pulsed cavity optomechanical quantum non-demolition (QND) interaction, driven by displaced non-Gaussian states, and measurement-induced feedback, avoiding the need for strong single-photon optomechanical coupling. Furthermore, we show that single-quadrature cooling of the mechanical oscillator is sufficient for efficient state preparation, and we outline a three-pulse protocol comprising a sequence of QND interactions for squeezing-enhanced cooling, state preparation, and tomography.
@article{arxiv.1601.01663,
title = {Measurement-induced macroscopic superposition states in cavity optomechanics},
author = {Ulrich B. Hoff and Johann Kollath-Bönig and Jonas S. Neergaard-Nielsen and Ulrik L. Andersen},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1601.01663},
year = {2016}
}