Testing Fundamental Physics by Using Levitated Mechanical Systems

Abstract

We will describe recent progress of experiments towards realising large-mass single particle experiments to test fundamental physics theories such as quantum mechanics and gravity, but also specific candidates of Dark Matter and Dark Energy. We will highlight the connection to the work started by Otto Stern as levitated mechanics experiments are about controlling the centre of mass motion of massive particles and using the same to investigate physical effects. This chapter originated from the foundations of physics session of the Otto Stern Fest at Frankfurt am Main in 2019, so we will also share a view on the Stern Gerlach experiment and how it related to tests of the principle of quantum superposition.

Interaction between Everett worlds and fundamental decoherence in Non-unitary Newtonian Gravity

“…On the experimental side huge advances in technology have been carried out in the last decade in order to test the predictions of models of gravitational decoherence. Viable platforms for large-mass experiments include non-interferometric opto-and magneto-mechanical systems [31,32] and matter-wave interferometers with molecules and nanoparticles [33], while ground-to space optical links, such as the entangled-photon pairs of the Space QUEST mission [34] and the long-baseline quantum links proposed in the context of the DSQL mission [35], are currently pursued because of the peculiar experimental conditions with respect to the ground (see for a detailed account Ref. [36] and references therein).…”

Interaction between Everett Worlds and Fundamental Decoherence in Non-Unitary Newtonian Gravity

“…On the experimental side, huge advances in technology have been carried out in the last decade in order to test the predictions of models of gravitational decoherence. Viable platforms for large-mass experiments include non-interferometric opto-and magneto-mechanical systems [31,32], and matter wave interferometers with molecules and nanoparticles [33]. Meanwhile, ground-to-space optical links, such as the entangled photon pairs of the Space QUEST mission [34] and the long-baseline quantum links proposed in the context of the DSQL mission [35], are currently pursued because of the peculiar experimental conditions with respect to the ground (see for a detailed account Ref.…”