Levitated Nanoparticles in Macroscopic Quantum Superpositions - Pushing the Boundaries of Quantum Mechanics

Explore groundbreaking research in quantum mechanics through this 47-minute colloquium talk delivered at the Centre for Quantum Technologies by Dr. Oriol Romero-Isart from IQOQI & University of Innsbruck. Delve into recent developments in optically levitated nanoparticles and their successful cooling to the quantum ground state, resulting in the delocalization of billions of atoms over picometer scales. Learn about the experimental challenges and requirements for achieving macroscopic quantum superposition of nanoparticles, focusing on innovative approaches using fast quantum dynamics in nonharmonic potentials to overcome environmental decoherence. Discover how this cutting-edge research pushes the boundaries of quantum mechanics testing, advances detector sensitivity, and investigates fundamental questions about gravitational fields generated by delocalized mass sources.