A trapped-ion phonon laser and the detection of ultra-weak forces

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This dissertation reports on the demonstration of a mechanical analogue to an optical laser, a "phonon laser", using a single trapped ion. Furthermore, we show that the dynamics of this system are surprisingly sensitive to external fields; we demonstrate phase synchronization ("injection locking") to an external signal by applying forces as weak as 5 yN (yocto=10-24). This enormous sensitivity might allow the detection of the nuclear spin of a single atom or molecule.