Probing macroscopic quantum superpositions with nanorotors

TY - JOUR

T1 - Probing macroscopic quantum superpositions with nanorotors

AU - Stickler, Benjamin A

AU - Papendell, Birthe

AU - Kuhn, Stefan

AU - Schrinski, Bjorn

AU - Millen, James

AU - Arndt, Markus

AU - Hornberger, Klaus

PY - 2018

Y1 - 2018

N2 - Whether quantum physics is universally valid is an open question with far-reaching implications. Intense research is therefore invested into testing the quantum superposition principle with ever heavier and more complex objects. Here we propose a radically new, experimentally viable route towards studies at the quantum-to-classical borderline by probing the orientational quantum revivals of a nanoscale rigid rotor. The proposed interference experiment testifies a macroscopic superposition of all possible orientations. It requires no diffraction grating, uses only a single levitated particle, and works with moderate motional temperatures under realistic environmental conditions. The first exploitation of quantum rotations of a massive object opens the door to new tests of quantum physics with submicron particles and to quantum gyroscopic torque sensors, holding the potential to improve state-of-the art devices by many orders of magnitude.

AB - Whether quantum physics is universally valid is an open question with far-reaching implications. Intense research is therefore invested into testing the quantum superposition principle with ever heavier and more complex objects. Here we propose a radically new, experimentally viable route towards studies at the quantum-to-classical borderline by probing the orientational quantum revivals of a nanoscale rigid rotor. The proposed interference experiment testifies a macroscopic superposition of all possible orientations. It requires no diffraction grating, uses only a single levitated particle, and works with moderate motional temperatures under realistic environmental conditions. The first exploitation of quantum rotations of a massive object opens the door to new tests of quantum physics with submicron particles and to quantum gyroscopic torque sensors, holding the potential to improve state-of-the art devices by many orders of magnitude.

U2 - 10.1088/1367-2630/aaece4

DO - 10.1088/1367-2630/aaece4

M3 - Article

SN - 1367-2630

VL - 20

SP - 1

EP - 10

JO - NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS

JF - NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS

M1 - 122001

ER -