TY - JOUR

T1 - Testing collapse models with Bose-Einstein-condensate interferometry

AU - Schrinski, Bjorn

AU - Haslinger, Philipp

AU - Schmiedmayer, Jorg

AU - Hornberger, Klaus

AU - Nimmrichter, Stefan

PY - 2023/4/24

Y1 - 2023/4/24

N2 - The model of continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) is the most prominent consistent modification of quantum mechanics predicting an objective quantum-to-classical transition. Here we show that precision interferometry with Bose-Einstein-condensed atoms can serve to lower the current empirical bound on the localization rate parameter by several orders of magnitude. This works by focusing on the atom count dis-tributions rather than just mean population imbalances in the interferometric signal of squeezed Bose-Einstein condendates, without the need for highly entangled Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger-like states. In fact, the interplay between CSL-induced diffusion and dispersive atom-atom interactions results in an amplified sensitivity of the condensate to CSL. We discuss experimentally realistic measurement schemes utilizing state-of-the-art experimental techniques to test new regions of parameter space and, pushed to the limit, to probe and potentially rule out large relevant parameter regimes of CSL.

AB - The model of continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) is the most prominent consistent modification of quantum mechanics predicting an objective quantum-to-classical transition. Here we show that precision interferometry with Bose-Einstein-condensed atoms can serve to lower the current empirical bound on the localization rate parameter by several orders of magnitude. This works by focusing on the atom count dis-tributions rather than just mean population imbalances in the interferometric signal of squeezed Bose-Einstein condendates, without the need for highly entangled Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger-like states. In fact, the interplay between CSL-induced diffusion and dispersive atom-atom interactions results in an amplified sensitivity of the condensate to CSL. We discuss experimentally realistic measurement schemes utilizing state-of-the-art experimental techniques to test new regions of parameter space and, pushed to the limit, to probe and potentially rule out large relevant parameter regimes of CSL.

KW - QUANTUM

KW - LOCALIZATION

KW - ATOMS

U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevA.107.043320

DO - 10.1103/PhysRevA.107.043320

M3 - Journal article

VL - 107

JO - Physical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics

JF - Physical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics

SN - 1050-2947

IS - 4

M1 - 043320

ER -