Sensing gravity with quantum mass-loaded SiN resonators – GRAVITATION

Probing the quantum nature of gravity poses a significant challenge in physics. Due to the weak nature of gravity, experiments focusing on gravitational interactions encounter obstacles. While there has been extensive study of interactions among astronomical objects, there have been relatively few experiments observing gravitational interactions between smaller objects. A crucial step forward involves investigating the mutual gravitational interaction between small classical objects, weighing around 1 milligram, with the ultimate objective of manipulating both the source mass and test mass in a quantum mechanical manner. Ground-state cooling, which involves lowering a mechanical resonator’s energy to its lowest possible state, is essential for such experiments as it serves as the foundation for proposals to observe the interplay between gravity.
and quantum mechanics. Experimental approaches that involve interacting masses released from harmonic
potentials show promise. GRAVITATION aims to demonstrate an
alternative pathway by preparing low-frequency modes engaged in gravitational interaction and possessing an extended coherence time. In summary, GRAVITATION strives to propel the field of gravitational-field sensing forward, towards the exploration of quantum object in gravitational interactions.