pERFEcTO · EmpoweRing FundamEntal physics and Technology with quantum Optomechanics
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2018-12-01 → 2020-11-30
- EU contribution
- €183,455
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
EmpoweRing FundamEntal physics and Technology with quantum Optomechanics
pERFEcTO has explored the foundations of quantum theory at the interface with both gravity and thermodynamics with particular emphasis on the phenomenological possibilities offered by optomechanical platforms. We were able to connect theoretical results at the frontiers of quantum physics with ways to extract empirical evidence on them and feed them back into the development of future experimental efforts. The questions investigated by pERFEcTO have a twofold impact. On the one hand, we have advanced the understanding of the interface between quantum theory and both gravity and thermodynamics, offering novel insights into theoretical problems. On the other hand, the search for phenomenological verifications of the theoretical results has led to the development of new methods to account for quantum effects in systems which will play a relevant role in future quantum technologies. The overall objectives of pERFEcTO, entangling theoretical searches with the investigation of suitable technological platforms to probe them, were: 1) To unveil the fundamental structure of space-time using optomechanical quantum systems. 2) To discern between different interpretations of quantum mechanics with empirical observations. 3) To investigate thermodynamic irreversibility in macroscopic quantum systems undergoing non-equilibrium quantum processes.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The recent advancement in quantum technologies and control raises the fascinating possibility to employ them for developing a whole new generation of devices based on the laws of quantum mechanics. At the same time, such progress enables unprecedented studies on the foundation of quantum mechanics and the quantum nature of space-time. This is precisely the overreaching goal of this action, which we dub pERFEcTO, that will use the technological platform embodied by quantum optomechanics to address alternative formulations of quantum mechanics and quantum spacetime effects. Hybrid optomechanical systems and novel quantum estimation methods, which have recently attracted great interest, will be exploited due to their adaptability to the different scenarios addressed by pERFEcTO. The aim is to develop optimal estimation tools and strategies adapted to hybrid optomechanical systems in order to investigate quantum foundations and (quantum) spacetime models. Furthermore, the action will extend such a study all the way to the addressing of out-of-equilibrium thermodynamics of hybrid optomechanical systems to characterize the quantum-to-classical transition in these systems and explore their potentiality for engineering quantum thermal machines. The action envisions the collaboration with experts from academia through three secondments at leading European research institutes and is set to expand scientific, transferable and collaborative skills of the Experience Researcher.pERFEcTO embodies an innovative approach to key fundamental problems and, through an intensive training programme, significant dissemination activities, and effective knowledge transfer paves the way for the career development of a talented young researcher who has already proven a solid track record of scientific excellence.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST · BELFASTCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union