Quantum Acoustomechanics with a Micromagnet

Abstract

We theoretically show how to strongly couple the center-of-mass motion of a micromagnet in a harmonic potential to one of its acoustic phononic modes. The coupling is induced by a combination of an oscillating magnetic field gradient and a static homogeneous magnetic field. The former parametrically couples the center-of-mass motion to a magnonic mode while the latter tunes the magnonic mode in resonance with a given acoustic phononic mode. The magnetic fields can be adjusted to either cool the center-of-mass motion to the ground state, or to enter into the strong quantum coupling regime. The center-of-mass can thus be used to probe and manipulate an acoustic mode, thereby opening new possibilities for out-of-equilibrium quantum nanophysics. Our results hold for experimentally feasible parameters and apply to levitated micromagnets as well as micromagnets deposited on a clamped nanomechanical oscillator.