Macroscopicity of mechanical quantum superpositions

Applicant Professor Dr. Klaus Hornberger
Subject Area Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
Term from 2016 to 2021
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 298796255
 

Project Description

The goal of the research project is to scrutinize and validate a measure for the macroscopicity of mechanical quantum superpositions, as introduced recently by the PI's group, with regard to general many-particle states and to non-interferometric quantum tests. Specifically, we will refine the measure as a general hypothesis test within a Bayesian framework, and evaluate it for current and planned experiments involving e.g. collective excitations of cold quantum gases, elastic deformations of nanoscale solids, or Leggett-Garg violations in optical lattices. We thus hope to provide a standard for the comparison of diverse quantum experiments probing the transition to macroscopic physics.
DFG Programme Research Grants