Abstract
We propose an interferometric scheme based on an untrapped nano-object subjected to gravity. The motion of the center of mass (c.m.) of the free object is coupled to its internal spin system magnetically, and a free flight scheme is developed based on coherent spin control. The wave packet of the test object, under a spin-dependent force, may then be delocalized to a macroscopic scale. A gravity induced dynamical phase (accrued solely on the spin state, and measured through a Ramsey scheme) is used to reveal the above spatially delocalized superposition of the spin-nano-object composite system that arises during our scheme. We find a remarkable immunity to the motional noise in the c.m. (initially in a thermal state with moderate cooling), and also a dynamical decoupling nature of the scheme itself. Together they secure a high visibility of the resulting Ramsey fringes. The mass independence of our scheme makes it viable for a nano-object selected from an ensemble with a high mass variability. Given these advantages, a quantum superposition with a 100nm spatial separation for a massive object of 10^{9} amu is achievable experimentally, providing a route to test postulated modifications of quantum theory such as continuous spontaneous localization.
Highlights
Introduction.—It is expected by a significant community of researchers that when one reaches a superposition of quantum states separated spatially by ∼100 nm for objects of mass ∼109 amu or larger, some hitherto unseen modifications of quantum mechanics [1,2] or self-gravitational effects (Schrödinger-Newton equations) [3] may start manifesting
We propose an interferometric scheme based on an untrapped nano-object subjected to gravity
The motion of the center of mass (c.m.) of the free object is coupled to its internal spin system magnetically, and a free flight scheme is developed based on coherent spin control
Summary
Introduction.—It is expected by a significant community of researchers that when one reaches a superposition of quantum states separated spatially by ∼100 nm for objects of mass ∼109 amu or larger, some hitherto unseen modifications of quantum mechanics [1,2] or self-gravitational effects (Schrödinger-Newton equations) [3] may start manifesting. Free Nano-Object Ramsey Interferometry for Large Quantum Superpositions
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