Probing new physics by levitated mechanical systems

by Prof. Hendrik Ulbricht

University Of Southampton

at Quantum optics seminar

Wed, 07 Apr 2021, 15:00
ZOOM

Abstract

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84505816117

I will report on our recent progress with experiments with trapped nano- and micro-particles, especially with Meissner-levitated ferromagnets above a type-1 superconductor. We find a system with ultralow mechanical damping showing great potential for sensing tiny forces [1] and, apparently, independent from the standard quantum limit - which holds promise to detect record low magnetic fields and we discuss ideas for a ferromagnetic gyroscope [2], where the precession motional degree of freedom is used to sense tiny magnetic fields. We also discuss how other rotational degrees of freedom can be used for inertial and force detection. We apply force noise measurements to bound collapse models to test the quantum superposition principle in the macroscopic domain of large mass systems [3, 4]. We illustrate ideas to used levitated mechanical systems to probe into gravity interactions leading toward the experimental exploration of the interplay between quantum mechanics and gravity [5]. We also mention ideas to probe into the physics of quantum field theory effects in non-inertial reference frames based on spinning micro-particles [6, 7].


[1] Vinante, A., P. Falferi, G. Gasbarri, A. Setter, C. Timberlake, and H. Ulbricht, Ultrahigh mechanical quality factor with Meissner-levitated ferromagnetic microparticles, Phys. Rev. Appl. 13, 064027 (2020) with Editor's Suggestion, and arXiv:1912.12252.

[2] Fadeev, P., C. Timberlake, T. Wang, A. Vinante, Y. B. Band, D. Budker, A. O. Sushkov, H. Ulbricht, and D. F. J. Kimball Ferromagnetic Gyroscopes for Tests of Fundamental Physics, Quantum Sci. Technol. 6, 024006 (2021), and arXiv:2010.08731.

[3] Vinante, A., M. Carlesso, A. Bassi, A. Chiasera, S. Varas, P. Falferi, B. Margesin, R. Mezzena, and H. Ulbricht, Narrowing the parameter space of collapse models with ultracold layered force sensors, Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 100404 (2020), and arXiv:2002.09782.

[4] Vinante, A., G. Gasbarri, C. Timberlake, M. Toroš, and H. Ulbricht, Testing Dissipative Collapse Models with a Levitated Micromagnet, Phys. Rev. Research 2, 043229 (2020) with Editor's suggestion, and arXiv:2008.06245.

[5] Carlesso, M., A. Bassi, M. Paternostro, and H. Ulbricht, Testing the gravitational field generated by a quantum superposition, New J. Phys. 21 093052 (2019), and arXiv:1906.04513.

[6] Braidotti, M. C., A. Vinante, G. Gasbarri, D. Faccio, and H. Ulbricht, Zel'dovich amplification in a superconducting circuit, Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 140801 (2020), and arXiv:2005.03705.

[7] Lochan, K., H. Ulbricht, A. Vinante, S. K. Goyal, Detecting acceleration-enhanced vacuum fluctuations with atoms inside a cavity, Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 241301 (2020), and arXiv:1909.09396.

Created on 04-04-2021 by Folman, Ron (folman)
Updaded on 04-04-2021 by Folman, Ron (folman)