Bringing quantum mechanics to life: from Schrödinger’s cat to Schrödinger’s microbe

Abstract

The question whether quantum mechanics is complete and the nature of the transition between quantum mechanics and classical mechanics have intrigued physicists for decades. There have been many experimental breakthroughs in creating larger and larger quantum superposition and entangled states since Erwin Schrödinger proposed his famous thought experiment of putting a cat in a superposition of both alive and dead states in 1935. Remarkably, recent developments in quantum optomechanics and electromechanics may lead to the realization of quantum superposition of living microbes soon. Recent evidence also suggests that quantum coherence may play an important role in several biological processes. In this review, we first give a brief introduction to basic concepts in quantum mechanics and the Schrödinger's cat thought experiment. We then review developments in creating quantum superposition and entangled states and the realization of quantum teleportation. Non-trivial quantum effects in photosynthetic light harvesting and avian magnetoreception are also discussed. At last, we review recent proposals to realize quantum superposition, entanglement and state teleportation of microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria.

Journeys from quantum optics to quantum technology

“…We estimated that the precision of such a device could be comparable or better than terrestrial atomic interferometers and would operate at a duty cycle of ∼ kHz, rather than Hz. The quest to engineer larger and larger Schrodinger cats brings one to the exciting question as to what happens if such spatial quantum superpositions involve active biological matter [281], and whether such micro-Schrodinger cats are potentially experimentally achievable in the next few years. The field of hybrid quantum systems -where one quantum engineers various sub-systems together to achieve overall novel functionalities, is a promising new topic that holds much promise for the future.…”

Quantum ground state cooling of translational and librational modes of an optically trapped nanoparticle coupling cavity

“…As a novel optomechanical system, the optically levitated system increasingly attracts people's attention due to its high mechanical quality factor Q at vacuum (potentially approaching Q = 10 12 ) and reconfiguration. Such system can be applied to verify the fundamental principle of quantum mechanics 18‐21 and statistical physics 22‐27 and to further investigate nonlinear dynamics, 28,29 precision measurement, and so on 30‐37 …”

High-precision gravimeter based on a nano-mechanical resonator hybrid with an electron spin

“…High quality nano(micro)-mechanical resonator is one of the best testbed for fundamental physics [1], such as the macroscopic quantum superpositions [2,3], the gravity induce wavefunction collapse [4], the boundary between quantum and classical regimes [5,6], and etc. It is found that the large quantum superpositions of the nano-mechanical resonator could be realized with the help of cavity modes [7], superconducting circuits [8,9], nitrogen-vacancy centers [10][11][12][13], and etc.…”