Macroscopic superpositions and gravimetry with quantum magnetomechanics.

ABSTRACT: Precision measurements of gravity can provide tests of fundamental physics and are of broad practical interest for metrology. We propose a scheme for absolute gravimetry using a quantum magnetomechanical system consisting of a magnetically trapped superconducting resonator whose motion is controlled and measured by a nearby RF-SQUID or flux qubit. By driving the mechanical massive resonator to be in a macroscopic superposition of two different heights our we predict that our interferometry protocol could, subject to systematic errors, achieve a gravimetric sensitivity of ?g/g?~?2.2?×?10^-10?Hz^-1/2, with a spatial resolution of a few nanometres. This sensitivity and spatial resolution exceeds the precision of current state of the art atom-interferometric and corner-cube gravimeters by more than an order of magnitude, and unlike classical superconducting interferometers produces an absolute rather than relative measurement of gravity. In addition, our scheme takes measurements at ~10?kHz, a region where the ambient vibrational noise spectrum is heavily suppressed compared the ~10?Hz region relevant for current cold atom gravimeters.

SUBMITTER: Johnsson MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5116620 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature