Dr. Rainer Kaltenbaek, University of Vienna
Abstract
Quantum optomechanics is a thriving new field of physics where a
mechanical resonator on the nano- or micrometer scale is coupled to an
optical field with the aim of preparing macroscopic mechanical systems
in quantum states of motion. The applications reach from
ultra-sensitive force and position measurements to applications in
quantum information processing, where optomechanical systems could be
used, for example, as quantum memories. Recently, it has been proposed
to use optically levitated spheres for quantum optomechanics. These
systems have the advantage of very low coupling to the environment and
correspondingly long coherence times. Here, we propose to use such
optically levitated systems for two distinct experiments (CASE and
DECIDE) in the context of an M-class space mission within the
Cosmic-Vision program of the European Space Agency. CASE is an
experiment to test Einstein’s equivalence principle, and DECIDE is an
experiment testing quantum theory against macrorealistic models that
predict a transition from quantum to classical for increasing mass and
complexity of physical systems.