Dr. Markus Aspelmeyer: Quantum Optomechanics: a route for table-top experiments at the interface between quantum physics and gravity?

Abstract:

Quantum optics provides a high-precision toolbox to enter and to control the quantum regime of the motion of massive mechanical objects. This opens the door to a hitherto untested parameter regime of macroscopic quantum physics. Due to the large available mass range -- from picograms in nanomechanical waveguides to kilograms in mirrors for gravitational wave detection -- it becomes possible to explore the fascinating interface between quantum physics and (quantum) gravity in table-top quantum optics experiments. I will discuss a few examples.