Large Quantum Superpositions and Interference of Massive Nanometer-Sized Objects

Author(s)
Oriol Romero-Isart, Anika Carmen Pflanzer, Florian Blaser, Rainer Kaltenbaek, Nikolai Kiesel, Markus Aspelmeyer, J. Ignacio Cirac
Abstract

We propose a method to prepare and verify spatial quantum superpositions of a nanometer-sized object separated by distances of the order of its size. This method provides unprecedented bounds for objective collapse models of the wave function by merging techniques and insights from cavity quantum optomechanics and matter wave interferometry. An analysis and simulation of the experiment is performed taking into account standard sources of decoherence. We provide an operational parameter regime using present day and planned technology.

Organisation(s)
Quantum Optics, Quantum Nanophysics and Quantum Information
External organisation(s)
Max-Planck-Institute of Quantum Optics
Journal
Physical Review Letters
Volume
107
No. of pages
4
ISSN
0031-9007
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.020405
Publication date
07-2011
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103025 Quantum mechanics
Keywords
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/dd674767-2e5b-4947-a80d-ac91976dc689