NOVUS · Nonlinear Optomechanics for Verification, Utility and Sensing
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-08-01 → 2025-01-28
- EU contribution
- €203,852
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Nonlinear Optomechanics for Verification, Utility and Sensing
Context and Problem Addressed: The project addresses a fundamental challenge in quantum optomechanics: the lack of analytical models that realistically capture the nonlinear dynamics and environmental interactions of quantum optomechanical systems (QOMSs). Present approaches are limited in their ability to model nonlinearities under strong optical drives and realistic noise conditions, which severely restricts both theoretical understanding and experimental design of next-generation quantum sensors. Why It Matters for Society: Quantum optomechanical systems have emerged as powerful candidates for ultra-sensitive measurements of weak forces, including gravitational effects and potential physics beyond the Standard Model. Enhancing our ability to model and control these systems has far-reaching implications, including improving gravimetric and gravitational wave sensing, developing quantum-enhanced force sensors, and probing fundamental aspects of nature such as quantum gravity and potential fifth forces. These advancements can impact precision measurement technologies, aid the search for new physics, and contribute to a better understanding of the quantum-classical boundary. Overall Objectives: The project is structured around three major objectives: Objective 1: Develop an analytic framework for nonlinear QOMSs that includes strong optical drive terms and a realistic model for optical and mechanical dissipation, incorporating non-Markovian effects. The resulting master equation approach will provide a new theoretical tool beyond standard Langevin-based treatments and allow for close collaboration with experimentalists to tailor the model to real-world platforms. Objective 2: Use the developed model to explore quantum metrology applications, with a focus on gravimetry and the detection of gravitational waves. This includes deriving quantum sensitivity bounds under realistic noise conditions and proposing experimentally feasible schemes using levitated QOMSs. The objective also extends to probing deviations from Newtonian gravity, such as fifth forces and possible signatures of dark energy and dark matter. Objective 3: Investigate how nonlinear QOMSs can be used to test quantum aspects of gravity. This includes modeling gravitationally induced decoherence using mass-dependent noise models and exploring the possibility of observing gravitational entanglement in coupled mesoscopic systems. Both paths offer potential insights into whether gravity itself must be quantized.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Quantum optomechanical systems (QOMSs) are comprised of light that interacts with a small mechanical element. Their relatively high mass compared with other quantum systems and excellent sensitivity to small displacements makes them an ideal candidate for quantum sensing and tests of fundamental physics. Yet, due to the lack of analytical solutions for their nonlinear evolution, which is challenging to treat both analytically and numerically, many aspects of nonlinear QOMSs remain unexplored. The goal of this research project entitled Nonlinear Optomechanics for Utility, Verification and Sensing (NOVUS) is to develop theoretical tools for modelling nonlinear QOMSs, which will pave the way for a number of application-oriented and fundamental studies that have thus far been unavailable. Most importantly, it will bridge the gap between theory and experiments at a time when nonlinear features are becoming increasingly accessible in the laboratory. This key focus on foundations as well as experimental applications has been reflected in the choice of host group and secondments.Using the developed tools, I will consider some of the most promising applications of QOMSs, including gravity sensing, tests of the overlap between quantum physics and gravity, as well as fundamental questions for mesoscopic quantum systems. Precision metrology of gravitational fields have a number of fundamental and technological applications, including gravitational-wave astronomy and small-mass sensing, as well as improved earthquake detection arrays and geological surveys. Regarding low-energy tests of quantum gravity, the prospect of detecting gravity-mediated entanglement or noise signatures of quantised gravitational fields has the potential to shed light on some of the most fundamental questions in physics. The developed tools will allow me to carefully analyse the required experimental conditions, from which I can propose novel protocols and identify the optimal parameter regimes.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- STOCKHOLMS UNIVERSITET · StockholmCoordinatorSweden
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union