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

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