Project description DEENESFRITPL Testing the foundations of quantum mechanics at the large scale Do the laws of quantum physics hold for massive objects of arbitrary size? The EU-funded Q-Xtreme project seeks to address this important question by testing quantum superposition at unprecedented macroscopic scales. Using optical, electric and magnetic forces in ultra-high vacuum, researchers plan to place a levitated object in two locations at once, separated by a distance comparable to its size. By providing a viable route towards macroscopic superpositions of objects containing billions of atoms, Q-Xtreme will bring macroscopic quantum physics to an entirely new level. High-mass superposition experiments will exceed state-of-the-art experiments by at least five orders of magnitude in mass. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Do the laws of quantum physics hold for massive objects of arbitrary size? Q-Xtreme will address this very important question by testing the quantum superposition principle at unprecedented macroscopic scales: we will place a levitated object in two locations at once, separated by a distance comparable to its size. Experimental confirmations of macroscopic quantum superpositions started as early as 1927, using electrons, and have today reached the size of organic molecules containing thousands of atoms. Q-Xtreme will bring macroscopic quantum physics to an entirely new level by preparing macroscopic quantum superpositions of objects containing billions of atoms, pushing current state-of-the-art by at least five orders of magnitude in mass. This goal will be achieved by using a radically new approach: quantum controlling the center-of-mass motion of a levitated nanoparticle (a solid-state object of few hundred nanometers) in ultra-high vacuum by using optical, electrical and magnetic forces. Q-Xtreme requires cutting-edge expertise in photonics, nanotechnology, optoelectronics, and quantum technology, which this Synergy Group uniquely combines. The achievements of Q-Xtreme are only possible by the combined proficiency in both fundamental science and engineering of this Synergy Group. The implications of Q-Xtreme are far-reaching. Testing the quantum superposition principle at unprecedented mass regimes opens the door to experimentally study the interplay of quantum physics and gravity, as well as dark matter and dark energy models. These macroscopic quantum superpositions will also give rise to ultrahigh sensing accuracies, with applications in inertial force sensing, measurements of short-range interactions and gravitational physics. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicsoptoelectronicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesquantum physicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyastrophysicsdark matterengineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materialssocial scienceslaw Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2020-SyG - ERC Synergy Grant Call for proposal ERC-2020-SyG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SyG - Synergy grant Coordinator UNIVERSITAET INNSBRUCK Net EU contribution € 1 557 371,76 Address Innrain 52 6020 Innsbruck Austria See on map Region Westösterreich Tirol Innsbruck Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Beneficiaries (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITAET INNSBRUCK Austria Net EU contribution € 1 557 371,76 Address Innrain 52 6020 Innsbruck See on map Region Westösterreich Tirol Innsbruck Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 UNIVERSITAT WIEN Austria Net EU contribution € 3 207 371,76 Address Universitatsring 1 1010 Wien See on map Region Ostösterreich Wien Wien Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICH Switzerland Net EU contribution € 7 775 506,85 Address Raemistrasse 101 8092 Zuerich See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Zürich Zürich Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 OESTERREICHISCHE AKADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAFTEN Austria Net EU contribution € 581 426,49 Address Dr. ignaz seipel-platz 2 1010 Wien See on map Region Ostösterreich Wien Wien Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
