Branco Weiss Fellow Since
2021
Research Category
Quantum Mechanics
Research Location
Laboratory for Solid State Physics, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Background
Quantum mechanics is probably the most successful scientific theory ever formulated. In the microscopic realm, its predictions for the result of a measurement can agree with experimental data to more than ten digits. Yet, the theory is full of counterintuitive phenomena, such as state superposition and energy quantisation, that are never observed in our macroscopic world: why?[nbsp]
There appears to be a boundary between the quantum world and the classical one we experience everyday. But where is this boundary? How does it emerge? Is there some fundamental principle that prevents macroscopic objects from behaving quantum mechanically? Why have we never seen a cat being simultaneously dead and alive?
Engineering and investigating quantum systems of increasingly large masses will provide us with experimental data that are essential to answer these questions. Moreover, such systems can find interesting technological applications, such as quantum sensors and quantum memories, that will have a direct impact on our everyday lives.
Details of Research
In his research, Dr. Matteo Fadel is planning to use acoustic waves inside a solid-state resonator for testing the predictions of quantum mechanics in mass regimes so far unexplored. In fact, to date these devices represent the heaviest mechanical resonators ever cooled to the ground state of motion and controlled at the quantum level.
To achieve his goal, Dr. Fadel will develop a sophisticated toolbox for preparing and manipulating quantum states of motion in acoustic wave resonators. This, apart from the fundamental interest of controlling sound at the quantum level, will open the door to the realisation of quantum sensors, quantum memories, and bosonic quantum simulators.
