PhD in Physics

This project aims to find experimental ways to couple nuclear spin dynamics to the centre of mass motion/oscillation of optically trapped particles. This will allow to use the quantum features of the spins to control and prepare quantum states of motion, such as macroscopic Schrödinger cat states. At the centre of this project is an experiment to explore gravity in a new parameter regime. The future goal is to realise a proposed protocol to probe gravity as a witness of quantum entanglement. Two masses are prepared in quantum superposition states each and only gravity interaction is allowed between the two particles. If gravity has any quantum aspect, it will be able to quantum entangle the two masses which will be probed in the proposed experiment. The key technology for generating large enough superpositions is to map a spin superposition to the centre of mass motion of each particle. The nuclear spin has the unique feature to remain coherent for much longer than electron spins or any other particle’s internal quantum states. A levitated silica nanoparticle will be trapped optically in vacuum. It contains a rare isotope of silicon with a nuclear Spin ½ state which can be routinely manipulated by common nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques.