Testing quantum mechanics and gravity on the table-top (CDT-QTE)

This PhD project will probe into macroscopic limits of quantum mechanics and is at the inface between experimental and theoretical physics.

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 (including effects by gravity) 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.

The experiment also opens experimental access to study the effect of gravity on the dynamics of the massive quantum states.

Experiments use optical, electric, and magnetic trapping of massive particles in vacuum, a research field known as levitodynamics.