At planck scale, spacetime is foamy because of quantum fluctuations predicted by quantum gravity. Igor pikovski scuola internazionale superiore di studi. Igor pikovski on quantum superpositions in an optomechanical system. Looking at quantum gravity in a mirror university of oxford. It is a base unit in the system of planck units, developed by physicist max planck. Background independence is a condition in theoretical physics, that requires the defining equations of a theory to be independent of the actual shape of the spacetime and the value of various fields within the spacetime. Here we consider the possibility of using spacetime foaminduced phase incoherence of light from distant galaxies and gammaray bursters to probe planckscale physics.
So someday if we can probe planck scale for instance directing gamma ray burst to the target sensors. Probing anharmonicity of a quantum oscillator in an optomechanical cavity. Engineered quantum systems that consist of tens of individually controllable interacting quantum particles are currently being developed using a number of different physical platforms, including atoms in optical arrays, ions in radiofrequency traps 4, 5, and superconducting circuits 69. Baez department of mathematics, university of california riverside, california 92521, usa january 28, 1999. Probing deformed commutators with macroscopic harmonic. Can we probe planckscale physics with quantum optics. The horizon problem the accelerating universe the fine tuning problem the fate of the universe planckscale physics new theoretical models are. The planck length can be defined from three fundamental physical constants. Probing noncommutative theories with quantum optical. Probing the planck scale with proton decay hitoshi murayama berkeley icrr mozumi july 27, 2004. At the planck size scale, quantum uncertainty is so intense that concepts like locality and causality become less meaningful. We extend this scheme to probe the polymer length deformed canonical commutation relation of the center. Probing planckscale physics with extragalactic sources.
A new bound on polymer quantization via an optomechanical setup. We show that the scheme is within reach of current technology. For example, a distance smaller than the planck length just doesnt make sensethe physics. We may not have instruments to probe planck scale yet but do we have detector to detect them. In loop quantum gravity, it is the spacetime which is the map which has spin networks in the planck scale. The standard model of particle theory successfully describes every fundamental particle and force observed in laboratories, yet fails to explain properties of the universe such as the existence of dark matter, the amount of dark energy, and the preponderance of matter over antimatter. With applications to physics, biology, chemistry and engineering westview 1994. Any deviation from the expected quantum mechanical result would be very. Hansen experimental physics laboratory, gravity probe b mission, stanford university, stanford, california 94309 received 12 january 2010. Our protocol utilizes quantum optical control and readout of the mechanical system to probe possible deviations from the quantum commutation relation even at the planck scale. Quantum gravity virtual blackholes, wormholes violate global nongauge charges. In particular this means that it must be possible not to refer to a specific coordinate systemthe theory must be coordinatefree.
Then, using feedback forces such as radiation pressure, one can cool the mechanical mode of interest into the quantum ground state and create nonclassical. Given the current limits of technology how far away are we from probing planck scale physics directly. Planck scale, generalized uncertainty principle, gravitational bar detector 1. In physics, the planck scale refers to either a very large energy scale 1. Interferometers might probe planck scale physics one interpretation of the planck limit predicts a detectable effect. Investigation on planck scale physics by the auriga. Planckscale physics can cause toorapid proton decay dangerous operators. Probing planckscale physics with quantum optics request pdf. The planck length l p is defined by taking the constants of nature and combining them in such a way that their units combine to give a length. A minimal observable length is a common feature of theories that aim to merge quantum physics and gravity.
The last two chapters discuss quantum gravity by either using general relativity minimizing quantum effects or quantum physics minimizing relativistic effects. Physicists propose test of quantum gravity using current. The field of particle physics is in a peculiar state. How far away are we from probing planck scale physics. The majority of attoscience employs pump probe methods one of the primary goals of attosecond science is to provide more insights into the dynamics of electrons in molecules. Cosmic quantum optical probing of quantum gravity through a gravitational lens. Citeseerx probing planckscale physics with quantum optics.
Can we see loops or strings which are located in the maps or the territory which hasnt got this. Here we introduce a scheme that allows an experimental test of this conjecture by probing directly the canonical commutation relation of the center of mass mode of a massive mechanical oscillator with a mass close to the planck mass. Pdf cosmic quantum optical probing of quantum gravity. Request pdf probing planckscale physics with quantum optics one of the main challenges in physics today is to merge quantum theory and the theory of general relativity into a unified framework. The selected topics include quantum fluctuations of spacetime, their cumulative effects, uncertainties in energymomentum measurements, and low energy quantum gravity phenomenology. Of course, the progress made in recent years in coherence between theoretical and experimental aspects of quantum optics, in particular the new approach towards lightmatter interactions, has opened a novel direction for testing new areas of physics such as planckscale physics with excellent resolution 5557. These systems offer the possibility of generating and probing complex quantum. Probing planckscale physics with quantum optics nature phys. It thus opens a feasible route for tabletop experiments to test possible quantum gravitational phenomena. Probing planckscale physics with quantum optics nature. Igor pikovski et al have proposed a test for planck scale physics using recent advances in quantum optics. I pikovski, mr vanner, m aspelmeyer, m kim, c brukner. Huge experiments, of increasing scale and cost, continue. Probing planckscale physics with quantum optics inspire.
Instead, what we use is a quantum mechanical ancillary system that can provide a way to measure any deformation of the canonical commutator directly. Toward ultimate accuracy probing into the planck scale physics at 1026m for testing einstein gravity theory and fundamental symmetries high impact science. Quantum science and technology group pqe 2005, snowbird, utah in the past decade observations from space has opened new vistas to the universe, and also has created new puzzles. P, is a unit of length that is the distance light travels in one unit of planck time. One of the main challenges in physics today is to merge quantum theory and the theory of general relativity into a unified framework. Contributions from well known physicists like roger penrose, carlo rovelli, and william unruh are included in this book. Selected topics in planckscale physics modern physics. The planck scale was invented as a set of universal units, so it was a shock when those limits also turned out to be the limits where the known laws of physics applied. Amplified transduction of planckscale effects using quantum optics p. Amplified transduction of planckscale effects for quantum optical experiments phys. Cavityoptomechanics aims to study the quantum properties of mechanical systems. Amplified transduction of planckscale effects for quantum optical experiments. The project of quantum spacetime phenomenology focuses on searching pragmatically for the planckscale quantum features of spacetime.
Attophysics also known as attoscience is a branch of physics wherein attosecond 10. Many proposed theories of quantum gravity, including loop quantum. For instance, it is agreed that planck mass mass equivalent to the energy inside a planck scale is the mass of a flea so by detecting fleas we know the planck length is occupied. A common strategy implemented in order to achieve this goal couples a high finesse photonic cavity to a high quality factor mechanical resonator. It is the dream of many theorists of fundamental physics to reconcile quantum theory with relativity, and thus produce a grainy theory of quantum gravity. Published in physics meets philosophy at the planck scale, eds. In string theory the smallest available length scale is the string length beyond which it is not possible to probe the. Our protocol uses quantum optical control and readout of the mechanical system to probe possible deviations from the quantum commutation relation even at the planck scale. Probing the frontiers of particle physics with tabletop. Probing planckscale physics with quantum optics core. Probing noncommutative theories with quantum optical experiments. Its well known, at least in some circles, that atoms were thought of in antiquity.
1072 1477 122 622 310 784 452 1374 429 816 418 1178 985 138 1471 389 986 138 854 776 1073 145 1122 166 352 1191 755 663 954 483 39 709 1464 31 726 96