Interplay of Gravity and Quantum Mechanical Superpositions
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Abstract
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Organisations
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ORCID iD |
Publications
Marshman R
(2020)
Locality and entanglement in table-top testing of the quantum nature of linearized gravity
in Physical Review A
Marshman R
(2020)
Mesoscopic interference for metric and curvature & gravitational wave detection
in New Journal of Physics
Van De Kamp T
(2020)
Quantum gravity witness via entanglement of masses: Casimir screening
in Physical Review A
| Description | We have achieved three primary objectives: 1 Explored which gravitational signals can be detected using large mass interferometry (LMI). Specifically how employing large masses in spatial superpositions can yield unique advantages over other methods of detecting gravitational waves. This can be seen with such a device being sensitive to lower frequency ranges while also beingany orders of magnitude smaller. 2 considered in detail the underlying mechanisms for two spatially superposed masses to become entangled and in particular identified all underlying assumptions and conditions for witnessing the quantum nature of linearized gravity. 3 considered the likely method of creating such large mass interferometers using a stern Gerlach like device including discussions with experimentalists to determine the most feasible implementation and to identify as many likely issues as possible, including the limiting effect of induced diamagnetism in such devices. |
| Exploitation Route | This work has layed the groundwork for how large mass interferometry (LMI) can serve to measure both classical and quantum mechanical aspects of gravity. We have not yet however explored all possible uses for such devices, nor have we settled on a clearly optimal implementation of LMI. Further work should follow both these paths as well as seek to actually implement such a device in the laboratory. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education,Environment,Other |
| URL | http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/tiny-gravitational-wave-detector-could-search-anywhere-in-the-sky/ |