Probing deformed commutators with macroscopic harmonic oscillators

Year: 2015

Authors: Bawaj M., Biancofiore C., Bonaldi M., Bonfigli F., Borrielli A., Di Giuseppe G., Marconi L., Marino F., Natali R., Pontin A., Prodi G.A., Serra E., Vitali D., Marin F.

Autors Affiliation: Univ Camerino, Sch Sci & Technol, Div Phys, I-62032 Camerino, MC, Italy; Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Perugia, I-06123 Perugia, Italy; Inst Mat Elect & Magnetism, Nanosci Trento FBK Div, I-38123 Povo, TN, Italy; Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Trento Inst Fundamental Phys & Applicat, I-38123 Povo, TN, Italy; Univ Firenze, Dipartimento Fis & Astron, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy; Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Firenze, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy; CNR, Ist Nazl Ott, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Univ Trento, Dipartimento Fis, I-38123 Povo, TN, Italy; Fdn Bruno Kessler, Ctr Mat & Microsyst, I-38123 Povo, TN, Italy; Delft Univ Technol, DIMES Technol Ctr, ECTM, Dept Microelect & Comp, NL-2600 GB Delft, Netherlands; LENS, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.

Abstract: A minimal observable length is a common feature of theories that aim to merge quantum physics and gravity. Quantum mechanically, this concept is associated with a nonzero minimal uncertainty in position measurements, which is encoded in deformed commutation relations. In spite of increasing theoretical interest, the subject suffers from the complete lack of dedicated experiments and bounds to the deformation parameters have just been extrapolated from indirect measurements. As recently proposed, low-energy mechanical oscillators could allow to reveal the effect of a modified commutator. Here we analyze the free evolution of high-quality factor micro-and nano-oscillators, spanning a wide range of masses around the Planck mass m(P) (approximate to 22 mu g). The direct check against a model of deformed dynamics substantially lowers the previous limits on the parameters quantifying the commutator deformation.

Journal/Review: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS

Volume: 6      Pages from: 7503-1  to: 7503-7

KeyWords: Generalized Uncertainty Principle; Minimal Length Uncertainty; Planck-scale Physics; Quantum-gravity; State
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8503

Citations: 119
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