Spin-mediated Hybrid Quantum Optomechanics

We describe our realization of a hybrid quantum system where a macroscopic mechanical resonator is coupled to the collective spin of an ultracold gas through a remote optical interface. Through this interface, the spin ensemble is capable of sympathetic cooling, sub-SQL detection and quantum control of the mechanical resonator. As such, this hybrid quantum system presents a powerful scheme to combine the robustness of the mesoscopic resonator with the sensitivity and coherence of the spin ensemble. Our ongoing studies of this system include various aspects of quantum metrology and the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of open quantum systems.