Narrowing the Parameter Space of Collapse Models with Ultracold Layered Force Sensors

A. Vinante, M. Carlesso, A. Bassi, A. Chiasera, S. Varas, P. Falferi, B. Margesin, R. Mezzena, and H. Ulbricht
Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 100404 – Published 3 September 2020
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Abstract

Despite the unquestionable empirical success of quantum theory, witnessed by the recent uprising of quantum technologies, the debate on how to reconcile the theory with the macroscopic classical world is still open. Spontaneous collapse models are one of the few testable solutions so far proposed. In particular, the continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) model has become subject of intense experimental research. Experiments looking for the universal force noise predicted by CSL in ultrasensitive mechanical resonators have recently set the strongest unambiguous bounds on CSL. Further improving these experiments by direct reduction of mechanical noise is technically challenging. Here, we implement a recently proposed alternative strategy that aims at enhancing the CSL noise by exploiting a multilayer test mass attached on a high quality factor microcantilever. The test mass is specifically designed to enhance the effect of CSL noise at the characteristic length rc=107m. The measurements are in good agreement with pure thermal motion for temperatures down to 100 mK. From the absence of excess noise, we infer a new bound on the collapse rate at the characteristic length rc=107m, which improves over previous mechanical experiments by more than 1 order of magnitude. Our results explicitly challenge a well-motivated region of the CSL parameter space proposed by Adler.

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  • Received 22 February 2020
  • Revised 15 June 2020
  • Accepted 24 July 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.100404

© 2020 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

General PhysicsQuantum Information, Science & Technology

Authors & Affiliations

A. Vinante1,2,*, M. Carlesso3,4, A. Bassi3,4, A. Chiasera5, S. Varas5, P. Falferi2, B. Margesin6, R. Mezzena7, and H. Ulbricht1

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
  • 2IFN-CNR and Fondazione Bruno Kessler, I-38123, Trento, Italy
  • 3Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Strada Costiera 11, 34151 Trieste, Italy
  • 4Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste Section, Via Valerio 2, 34127 Trieste, Italy
  • 5IFN-CNR CSMFO Lab and FBK Photonics Unit, I-38123 Trento, Italy
  • 6Fondazione Bruno Kessler—CMM, I-38123, Trento, Italy
  • 7Department of Physics, University of Trento, I-38123, Trento, Italy

  • *Corresponding author. andrea.vinante@ifn.cnr.it

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Issue

Vol. 125, Iss. 10 — 4 September 2020

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