Quantum mechanics dictates that the precision of physical measurements must
be subject to certain constraints. In the case of inteferometric displacement
measurements, these restrictions impose a 'standard quantum limit' (SQL), which
optimally balances the precision of a measurement with its unwanted backaction.
To go beyond this limit, one must devise more sophisticated measurement
techniques, which either 'evade' the backaction of the measurement, or achieve
clever cancellation of the unwanted noise at the detector. In the half-century
since the SQL was established, systems ranging from LIGO to ultracold atoms and
nanomechanical devices have pushed displacement measurements towards this
limit, and a variety of sub-SQL techniques have been tested in
proof-of-principle experiments. However, to-date, no experimental system has
successfully demonstrated an interferometric displacement measurement with
sensitivity (including all relevant noise sources: thermal, backaction, and
imprecision) below the SQL. Here, we exploit strong quantum correlations in an
ultracoherent optomechanical system to demonstrate off-resonant force and
displacement sensitivity reaching 1.5dB below the SQL. This achieves an
outstanding goal in mechanical quantum sensing, and further enhances the
prospects of using such devices for state-of-the-art force sensing
applications.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figure
