Exploiting Levitated Particles in the Quantum Regime

The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus seminar on “Exploiting levitated particles in the quantum regime” brings together leading scientists and young researchers working in the field of levitated quantum opto- and electromechanics. The aim of the seminar is to provide a platform to discuss the most recent experimental and theoretical advances, as well as promising future directions in the quantum physics of levitated particles. The seminar will bring together experts from the field of levitated optomechanics with experts from related fields in the atomic, molecular, and optical physics community.

Levitating nanoscale particles in ultra-high vacuum and cooling them to the quantum regime provides a unique platform for quantum experiments with massive objects, for ultra-precise force and torque sensing, and for the exploration of physics beyond the standard model. The recent experimental breakthroughs of cooling a nanoscale dielectric sphere to its motional quantum ground state by cavity and feedback cooling paves the way for the first experimental observation of mechanical quantum superpositions in these systems. This seminar will discuss the recent breakthroughs and promising future directions with levitated nanoparticles in the quantum regime, ranging from quantum control of levitated objects, collective effects in particle arrays, magnetic and electric trapping platforms, nanoscale quantum rotations, to prospects of testing dark matter models and quantum gravity.

The conference language will be English. The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation bears the cost of full-board accommodation for all participants.