About the project
This PhD project will probe into macroscopic limits of quantum mechanics. You will take part in generating macroscopic quantum states by putting nanoparticles in spatial superpositions analogous to matterwave interferometry. Modifications of quantum theory such as decoherence and collapse models predict that we will fail in this attempt fundamentally at computable levels of macroscopicity which is a superb playing field for testing conventional and less conventional fundamental physics ideas.
This PhD project will probe into macroscopic limits of quantum mechanics. You will take part in generating macroscopic quantum states by putting nanoparticles in spatial superpositions analogous to matterwave interferometry. Modifications of quantum theory such as decoherence and collapse models predict that we will fail in this attempt fundamentally at computable levels of macroscopicity which is a superb playing field for testing conventional and less conventional fundamental physics ideas. We are working on setting up experiments to realise superpositions of record large (massive) particles by Talbot interferometry and by measurement-based schemes using dynamical non-linearities. Experiments use optical, electric, and magnetic trapping of massive particles in vacuum, a research field known as levitodynamics. We are looking for students with a keen interest in table-top testing of quantum mechanics and in pushing the boundaries of existing experimental techniques who will join us in this amazing adventure. We are working closely with theoretical physicists on modelling our experiments as well as fundamental physics questions related to our experiments (mostly gravity-related ideas in the context of quantum systems) and the PhD project can be right at that interface between theory and experiment.
