Testing experimental predictions of quantum gravity.
Lead Research Organisation:
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Modern physics explains a stunning variety of phenomena from the smallest of scales to the largest and has already revolutionized the world! Lasers, semi-conductors, and transistors are at the core of our laptops, cellphones, and medical equipment.
Every year, new novel quantum technologies are being developed within the National Quantum Technology Programme in the UK and throughout the world that impact our everyday life and the fundamental physics research that leads to new discoveries. Quantum states of light have recently improved the sensitivity of gravitational-wave detectors, whose detections to date have enthralled the public, and superconducting transition-edge-sensors are now used in astronomy experiments that make high-resolution images of the universe.
Despite the successes of modern physics, several profound and challenging problems remain. Our work will use recent advances in quantum technologies to address one the most pressing questions: how can quantum mechanics be united with Einstein's theory of relativity?
This line of research is devoted to the nature of space and time. Recent progress in quantum computing and the detection of gravitational waves have provided additional evidence to the long list of successful experimental tests of quantum mechanics and Einstein's theory of relativity. But how can gravity be united with quantum mechanics? To seek answers that inform this question, we propose to study quantum aspects of space-time. We will experimentally investigate the holographic principle, which states that the information content of a volume can be encoded on its boundary. We will exploit quantum states of light and build two ultra-sensitive laser interferometers on a larger table-top scale of 5m that will investigate possible correlations between different regions of space with unprecedented sensitivity.
Answering this challenging question of fundamental physics with the aid of modern quantum technologies has the potential to open new horizons for physics research and to reach a new level of understanding of the world we live in.
Every year, new novel quantum technologies are being developed within the National Quantum Technology Programme in the UK and throughout the world that impact our everyday life and the fundamental physics research that leads to new discoveries. Quantum states of light have recently improved the sensitivity of gravitational-wave detectors, whose detections to date have enthralled the public, and superconducting transition-edge-sensors are now used in astronomy experiments that make high-resolution images of the universe.
Despite the successes of modern physics, several profound and challenging problems remain. Our work will use recent advances in quantum technologies to address one the most pressing questions: how can quantum mechanics be united with Einstein's theory of relativity?
This line of research is devoted to the nature of space and time. Recent progress in quantum computing and the detection of gravitational waves have provided additional evidence to the long list of successful experimental tests of quantum mechanics and Einstein's theory of relativity. But how can gravity be united with quantum mechanics? To seek answers that inform this question, we propose to study quantum aspects of space-time. We will experimentally investigate the holographic principle, which states that the information content of a volume can be encoded on its boundary. We will exploit quantum states of light and build two ultra-sensitive laser interferometers on a larger table-top scale of 5m that will investigate possible correlations between different regions of space with unprecedented sensitivity.
Answering this challenging question of fundamental physics with the aid of modern quantum technologies has the potential to open new horizons for physics research and to reach a new level of understanding of the world we live in.
