Catapulting towards massive and large spatial quantum superposition
A large spatial quantum superposition of size O(1–10)μm for mass m∼10^{−17}–10^{−14} kg is required to probe the foundations of quantum mechanics and test the classical and quantum nature of gravity via entanglement in a laboratory. In this paper, we will show that it is possible to accelerate the t...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American Physical Society
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Physical Review Research |
| Online Access: | http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.043157 |
| Summary: | A large spatial quantum superposition of size O(1–10)μm for mass m∼10^{−17}–10^{−14} kg is required to probe the foundations of quantum mechanics and test the classical and quantum nature of gravity via entanglement in a laboratory. In this paper, we will show that it is possible to accelerate the two spin states of a macroscopic nanocrystal sourced by the inhomogeneous nonlinear magnetic field in a Stern-Gerlach-type setup. We will assume that the electronic spin can be embedded at the center of the nanocrystal, such as the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center of diamond. Our analysis will be generic to any dopant or any material. We will show that we can create a desired superposition size within 1–2 s by catapulting the trajectories of the two spin states with a modest magnetic field gradient and then recombine the trajectories for a coherent interference. We will show the demanding nature of the precision required in the magnetic field to recover a 99% spin coherence confidence level at the moment of interference. |
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| ISSN: | 2643-1564 |