A quantum physics platform in spaceRainer Kaltenbaek

FMFLjubljana

Science goals I/III

09.04.2019 NASA Fund. Phys., Washington

Quantum to ClassicalTransition (?)

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Science goals II/III

09.04.2019 NASA Fund. Phys., Washington

Gravitational wavebackground

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LIGO

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Science goals III/III

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Quantum gravity?New physics?

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A. Belenchia et al. PRD 98, 126009 (2018)

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Collapse models

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Introduce mechanism todestroy superpositions

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A. Bassi & H. Ulbricht, J. Phys.: Conf. Series 504, 012023 (2014)

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Collapse models

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Introduce mechanism todestroy superpositions

Clear deviations expected:m > 109 – 1010 amu

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Coupling to the environment

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Coupling to the environment

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Coupling to the environment

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Experimental tests

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104 atomic mass units

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S. Eibenberger et al., PCCP 15, 14696 (2013)

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How massive can our particles be?

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Heavier particles require longer free fall

record Drop tower? SPACE?

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Why go to space?

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Rockets/parabolic flightsminutes of free fall

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Why go to space?

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Drop tower, Einstein elevatorup to 9s free fall

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Progress in space technology

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GAIA (Global AstrometricInterferometer for Astrophysics) LISA Pathfinder

(launched 03/12/2015)

Herschel & Planck Telescopes

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Progress in space technology

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MAQRO – suggested experiments

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Free expansion of the wavefunction Matter-wave interference

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Before QPPF study: passive radiative cooling

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+ Low vibrations+ “unlimited” lifetime+ Outgassing to space

- Electron bombardment- Not easily testable- Outgassing plume

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A. Pilan Zanoni et al. Appl. Therm. Egin. 107, 689 (2016)

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Open to space environment(?) I/II

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J.I. Thorpe et al, J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 840, 012007 (2017)

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Open to space environment(?) I/II

09.04.2019 NASA Fund. Phys., Washington

J.I. Thorpe et al, J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 840, 012007 (2017)

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Open to space environment(?) II/II

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Ion densitywake behind disk

Electron densityno wake

Plasma density behind 1.5m diam. disk

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New cooling & vacuum approach

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Payload inside a box• getter film • outgassing to space(?)

Passive cooling (V-grooves)+ hydrogen sorption cooler=> 20K

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New orbit configuration

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Ariane 6direct launch to L2

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State-of-the-art experimental results

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Coherent scattering into cavityBig step towards ground-state cooling

U. Delic et al., PRL 122, 123602 (2019) - Aspelmeyer groupD. Windey et al., PRL 122, 123601 (2019) - Novotny group

U. Delic et al., PRL 122, 123602 (2019)

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Critical issues I/II

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To avoid gas collisions:Pressure: ≲ 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟑Pa

(for fused silica)

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Critical issues II/II

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Particle loadingPaul Trapp

Particles coated on

surface

Charge / mass selector

UV source

Guiding electrodes

TBD Batch selector

• Desorb particles• Trap & characterize• Guide to experiment• Discharge• Optically trap

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Critical issues II/II

09.04.2019 NASA Fund. Phys., Washington

Particle loadingPaul Trapp

Particles coated on

surface

Charge / mass selector

UV source

Guiding electrodes

TBD Batch selector

Option: Replace surface coating

with a MEMS modulator

• Desorb particles• Trap & characterize• Guide to experiment• Discharge• Optically trap

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Conclusions

• Tests of macroscopic quantum physics as a ”future science idea“

• Performed CDF study

• overall feasibility confirmed but 2 critical issues need addressing

• Key technologies need focused technology development

• CDF proposed possible launch by ~2038

• May be possible to speed up to ~2034

09.04.2019 NASA Fund. Phys., Washington

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THANKS

09.04.2019 NASA Fund. Phys., Washington

MQES study (ESA contract Po P5401000400)NanoTrapS project (ESA contract4000105799/127NL/Cbi)QPPF CDF Study 2018

Austrian Research Promotion Agency (MAQROsteps, Project no. 840089)(ULE-Cavity-Access, Project no. 854036)(QuantumShield, Project no. 865996)

QTSpace COST action (CA15220)10/16 – 10/2026 countries

www.maqro-mission.org

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QPPF CDF Study – Final Report (2019): http://sci.esa.int/future-missions-department/61074-cdf-study-report-qppf/