Gravity-induced wave-function collapse and experimental tests

对于量子物质如何产生引力场的问题，当代物理学没有明确的答案。与此同时，各种模型试图将引力与波函数的崩溃联系起来。在这个项目中，我将讨论由薛定谔-牛顿方程描述的量子系统中的引力自相互作用是否对理解量子态还原起到了作用，如果是的话，这种还原的机制是什么。当解释为崩溃模型时，薛定谔-牛顿方程表现出某些行为，必须对其有更好的理解。这项研究的后续工作将是研究如何将薛定谔-牛顿方程中的引力相互作用与特里斯特大学Angelo Bassi小组目前在主办机构研究的随机坍塌模型合并。为了平衡这一纯粹的理论研究，我将显著改进如何在实验上测试薛定谔-牛顿动力学的命题。为此，我将借鉴我在博士论文期间所做的工作。改进后的预测将通过主办机构与南安普敦亨德里克·乌布利赫特的实验小组的现有合作进行实验验证。薛定谔-牛顿方程的这种积极测试或证伪将为微观层面上引力相互作用的形式和结构提供新的见解，进而提供对量子力学基础的更好理解。

Contemporary physics has no unambiguous answer to the question how quantum matter sources a gravitational field. At the same time, various models try to link gravitation with the collapse of the wave-function. In this project I will address the question whether a gravitational self-interaction in quantum systems as described by the Schrödinger-Newton equation plays a rôle for the understanding of quantum state reduction, and if so, what the mechanism of this reduction is.When interpreted as a collapse model, the Schrödinger-Newton equation manifests certain behaviours for which a better understanding has to be gained. This study will be followed up by research on how the gravitational interaction according to the Schrödinger-Newton equation can be merged with the stochastic collapse models currently studied at the host institution in the group of Angelo Bassi at the University of Trieste.To balance this purely theoretical research, I will significantly improve on propositions of how to experimentally test the Schrödinger-Newton dynamics. For this, I will draw on the work I did during my PhD thesis. The improved predictions will be experimentally tested through an existing collaboration of the host institution with the experimental group of Hendrik Ulbricht in Southampton.Such a positive test, or falsification, of the Schrödinger-Newton equation will provide new insight into the form and structure of the gravitational interaction at the microscopic level, and, by extension, provide a better understanding of the foundations of Quantum Mechanics.