First result for testing semiclassical gravity effect with a torsion balance

Fuente: arXiv
Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yan, Tianliang, Liu, Yubao, Prokhorov, Leonid, Smetana, Jiri, Miao, Haixing, Ma, Yiqiu, Boyer, Vincent, Martynov, Denis
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1866913975259627520
author Yan, Tianliang
Liu, Yubao
Prokhorov, Leonid
Smetana, Jiri
Miao, Haixing
Ma, Yiqiu
Boyer, Vincent
Martynov, Denis
author_facet Yan, Tianliang
Liu, Yubao
Prokhorov, Leonid
Smetana, Jiri
Miao, Haixing
Ma, Yiqiu
Boyer, Vincent
Martynov, Denis
contents The Schrödinger-Newton equation, a theoretical framework connecting quantum mechanics with classical gravity, predicts that gravity may induce measurable deviations in low-frequency mechanical systems-an intriguing hypothesis at the frontier of fundamental physics. In this study, we developed and operated an advanced optomechanical platform to investigate these effects. The system integrates an optical cavity with finesse over 350000 and a torsion pendulum with an ultra-low eigenfrequency of 0.6mHz, achieving a high mechanical Q-factor exceeding 50000. We collected data for 3 months and reached a sensitivity of 0.3urad/rtHz at the Schrödinger-Newton frequency of 2.5mHz where deviations from the standard quantum mechanics may occur. While no evidence supporting semiclassical gravity was found, we identify key challenges in such tests and propose new experimental approaches to advance this line of inquiry. This work demonstrates the potential of precision optomechanics to probe the interplay between quantum mechanics and gravity.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2411_17817
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle First result for testing semiclassical gravity effect with a torsion balance
Yan, Tianliang
Liu, Yubao
Prokhorov, Leonid
Smetana, Jiri
Miao, Haixing
Ma, Yiqiu
Boyer, Vincent
Martynov, Denis
Quantum Physics
The Schrödinger-Newton equation, a theoretical framework connecting quantum mechanics with classical gravity, predicts that gravity may induce measurable deviations in low-frequency mechanical systems-an intriguing hypothesis at the frontier of fundamental physics. In this study, we developed and operated an advanced optomechanical platform to investigate these effects. The system integrates an optical cavity with finesse over 350000 and a torsion pendulum with an ultra-low eigenfrequency of 0.6mHz, achieving a high mechanical Q-factor exceeding 50000. We collected data for 3 months and reached a sensitivity of 0.3urad/rtHz at the Schrödinger-Newton frequency of 2.5mHz where deviations from the standard quantum mechanics may occur. While no evidence supporting semiclassical gravity was found, we identify key challenges in such tests and propose new experimental approaches to advance this line of inquiry. This work demonstrates the potential of precision optomechanics to probe the interplay between quantum mechanics and gravity.
title First result for testing semiclassical gravity effect with a torsion balance
topic Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.17817