Quantum/classical transition in matter-wave interferometers through the scattering of gravitational wave backgrounds
Résumé
Stochastic backgrounds of gravitational waves correspond to intrinsic fluctuations of spacetime and lead to a universal decoherence mechanism. This mechanism defines an ultimate limit for matter-wave interferometry which sets a natural borderline between classical and quantum worlds. The decoherence border is characterized by figures which involve the gravitational environment as well as the quadrupole of the matter probe. We discuss the feasibility of experiments aimed at its observation in the context of ongoing progresses towards highly sensitive matter-wave interferometry.