Bradley R. Slezak

Research

Measurements on a Particle in a Magneto-Gravitational Trap

Abstract:

We set out to create a mechanical system with a size scale generally considered to reside in the classical regime and make it behave quantum mechanically. Our system consists of a silica microsphere diamagnetically levitated in an ultra-high vacuum environment. The combination of a strong magnetic field gradient, generated by ferromagnetic pole pieces and permanent magnets, and the gravitational interaction create a 3-dimensional trap for the particle. We measure the particle's motion in the trap by scattering laser light off of the particle and use that measurement to provide negative feedback to the particle, removing mechanical energy via a radiation pressure damping force from a second laser. In the ideal case, the energy of the particle will near that of its quantum mechanical ground state. It is in this regime that we aim to create non-classical states of the particle's mechanical motion. By measuring the decoherence rate or the evolution of quantum uncertainty of non-classical states of the trapped particle, we may be able to observe deviations from quantum mechanical predictions that can be attributed to the gravitational interaction.

Co-advisor:  Dr. Brian D'Urso

http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/33973/

Dissertation

Major

Physics

Degree

MS
PhD

Graduate Advisor

Wolfgang J. Choyke