NIST physicists have successfully entangled a microscopic mechanical drum with electrical signals, demonstrating quantum behavior in the macroscopic world. The 15-micrometer diameter, 100-nanometer thick drum, part of an electromechanical circuit, can exchange quantum states between its mechanical vibrations and microwave pulses.
In the experiment, a microwave signal cooled the drum to a single unit of vibration, entangling its motion with a spontaneous microwave pulse. The drum stored this quantum information for 10 microseconds, long enough to be useful. The researchers then transferred the drum’s quantum state to a second microwave pulse, demonstrating strong correlation over 10,000 repetitions.
This breakthrough suggests the drum could serve as a quantum memory device, generate microwave entanglement, convert quantum information between incompatible forms, and improve force sensing. The research is supported by the National Science Foundation, DARPA, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
Keywords: Quantum, Entanglement, Micro-drum, Quantum states, Quantum information, Microwave pulses, Quantum behavior, Quantum memory device, Quantum entanglement, Quantum precision
