Macroscopic quantum resonators (MAQRO): 2015 Update
Abstract
Do the laws of quantum physics still hold for macroscopic objects - this is at the heart of Schr\"odinger's cat paradox - or do gravitation or yet unknown effects set a limit for massive particles? What is the fundamental relation between quantum physics and gravity? Ground-based experiments addressing these questions may soon face limitations due to limited free-fall times and the quality of vacuum and microgravity. The proposed mission MAQRO may overcome these limitations and allow addressing those fundamental questions. MAQRO harnesses recent developments in quantum optomechanics, high-mass matter-wave interferometry as well as state-of-the-art space technology to push macroscopic quantum experiments towards their ultimate performance limits and to open new horizons for applying quantum technology in space. The main scientific goal of MAQRO is to probe the vastly unexplored "quantum-classical" transition for increasingly massive objects, testing the predictions of quantum theory for truly macroscopic objects in a size and mass regime unachievable in ground-based experiments. The hardware for the mission will largely be based on available space technology. Here, we present the MAQRO proposal submitted in response to the (M4) Cosmic Vision call of the European Space Agency for a medium-size mission opportunity with a possible launch in 2025.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1503.02640,
title = {Macroscopic quantum resonators (MAQRO): 2015 Update},
author = {Rainer Kaltenbaek and Markus Arndt and Markus Aspelmeyer and Peter F. Barker and Angelo Bassi and James Bateman and Kai Bongs and Sougato Bose and Claus Braxmaier and Časlav Brukner and Bruno Christophe and Michael Chwalla and Pierre-François Cohadon and Adrian M. Cruise and Catalina Curceanu and Kishan Dholakia and Klaus Döringshoff and Wolfgang Ertmer and Jan Gieseler and Norman Gürlebeck and Gerald Hechenblaikner and Antoine Heidmann and Sven Herrmann and Sabine Hossenfelder and Ulrich Johann and Nikolai Kiesel and Myungshik Kim and Claus Lämmerzahl and Astrid Lambrecht and Michael Mazilu and Gerard J. Milburn and Holger Müller and Lukas Novotny and Mauro Paternostro and Achim Peters and Igor Pikovski and André Pilan-Zanoni and Ernst M. Rasel and Serge Reynaud and C. Jess Riedel and Manuel Rodrigues and Loïc Rondin and Albert Roura and Wolfgang P. Schleich and Jörg Schmiedmayer and Thilo Schuldt and Keith C. Schwab and Martin Tajmar and Guglielmo M. Tino and Hendrik Ulbricht and Rupert Ursin and Vlatko Vedral},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1503.02640},
year = {2016}
}
Comments
38 pages, 10 tables, 23 figures