Optimal control for feedback cooling in cavityless levitated optomechanics

Abstract

We consider feedback cooling in a cavityless levitated optomechanics setup, and we investigate the possibility to improve the feedback implementation. We apply optimal control theory to derive the optimal feedback signal both for quadratic (parametric) and linear (electric) feedback. We numerically compare optimal feedback against the typical feedback implementation used for experiments. In order to do so, we implement a state estimation scheme that takes into account the modulation of the laser intensity. We show that such an implementation allows us to increase the feedback strength, leading to faster cooling rates and lower center-of-mass temperatures.

Keywords

• levitated optomechanics
• optimal control theory
• quantum mechanics
• optomechanics
• feedback cooling