Research campaign: Macroscopic quantum resonators (MAQRO)

Rainer Kaltenbaek , Markus Arndt , Markus Aspelmeyer , Peter F. Barker , Angelo Bassi , James Bateman , Alessio Belenchia , Joel Bergé (1) , Claus Braxmaier , Sougato Bose , Bruno Christophe (2) , Garrett D. Cole , Catalina Curceanu , Animesh Datta , Maxime Debiossac , Uroš Delić , Lajos Diósi , Andrew A. Geraci , Stefan Gerlich , Christine Guerlin (3) , Gerald Hechenblaikner , Antoine Heidmann (3) , Sven Herrmann , Klaus Hornberger , Nikolai Kiesel , Claus Lämmerzahl , Thomas W. Lebrun , Gerard J. Milburn , James Millen , Makan Mohageg , David C. Moore , Gavin W. Morley , Stefan Nimmrichter , Lukas Novotny , Daniel K. L. Oi , Mauro Paternostro , C. Jess Riedel , Manuel Rodrigues (1) , Loïc Rondin (4, 5) , Albert Roura , Wolfgang P. Schleich , Thilo Schuldt , Benjamin A. Stickler , Hendrik Ulbricht , Christian Vogt , Lisa Wörner

1 DPHY, ONERA, Université Paris Saclay [Châtillon]
2 DPHY, ONERA, Université Paris Saclay [Palaiseau]
3 LKB (Lhomond) - Laboratoire Kastler Brossel
4 LuMIn - Laboratoire Lumière, Matière et Interfaces
5 NOOS - Nano Optique et Spectroscopy

The objective of the proposed macroscopic quantum resonators (MAQRO) mission is to harness space for achieving long free-fall times, extreme vacuum, nano-gravity, and cryogenic temperatures to test the foundations of physics in macroscopic quantum experiments at the interface with gravity. Developing the necessary technologies, achieving the required sensitivities and providing the necessary isolation of macroscopic quantum systems from their environment will lay the path for developing novel quantum sensors. Earlier studies showed that the proposal is feasible but that several critical challenges remain, and key technologies need to be developed. Recent scientific and technological developments since the original proposal of MAQRO promise the potential for achieving additional science objectives. The proposed research campaign aims to advance the state of the art and to perform the first macroscopic quantum experiments in space. Experiments on the ground, in micro-gravity, and in space will drive the proposed research campaign during the current decade to enable the implementation of MAQRO within the subsequent decade.

Mots clés: decoherence; quantum physics; optomechanics; matter waves; optical trapping

Domaines: Planète et Univers [physics]

Rainer Kaltenbaek, Markus Arndt, Markus Aspelmeyer, Peter F. Barker, Angelo Bassi, et al.. Research campaign: Macroscopic quantum resonators (MAQRO). Quantum Science and Technology, 2023, 8, ⟨10.1088/2058-9565/aca3cd⟩. ⟨hal-03955638⟩