English

Optomechanical Schr\"odinger Cats - a Case for Space

Quantum Physics 2015-02-11 v1

Abstract

Quantum optomechanics exploits radiation pressure effects inside optical cavities. It can be used to generate quantum states of the center-of-mass motion of massive mechanical objects, thereby opening up a new parameter regime for macroscopic quantum experiments. The challenging experimental conditions to maintain and observe quantum coherence for increasingly large objects may require a space environment rather than an earth-bound laboratory. We introduce a possible space experiment to study the wave-packet expansion of massive objects. This forms the basis for Schr\"odinger cat states of unprecedented size and mass.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1502.02876,
  title  = {Optomechanical Schr\"odinger Cats - a Case for Space},
  author = {Rainer Kaltenbaek and Markus Aspelmeyer},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1502.02876},
  year   = {2015}
}

Comments

Reprint of a publication in early 2013 in "Erwin Schr\"odinger - 50 Years After" edited by W. L. Reiter abd J. Yngvason - the bibliography reflects the date of the submission but we updated reference [10]

R2 v1 2026-06-22T08:26:29.979Z