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AIP conference proceedings

Gravitationally bound quantum states of neutrons: applications and perspectives

H. Abele

Published Jan 1, 2006• 6 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Gravitationally bound quantum states of matter were observed recently due to unique properties of ultracold neutrons. We discuss here the actual status and possible improvements in this experiment. This phenomenon could be useful for various domains ranging from the physics of elementary particles and fields, to surface studies, or to foundations of quantum mechanics.

DOI
10.1063/1.2220384

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Gravitationally bound quantum states of matter were observed recently due to unique properties of ultracold neutrons. We discuss here the actual status and possible improvements in this experiment. This phenomenon could be useful for various domains ranging from the physics of elementary particles and fields, to surface studies, or to foundations of quantum mechanics.
Neutrons not only fall classically in the gravitational field of the Earth as potatoes and other normal objects do; at certain conditions, they reveal quantum behavior, or even form well­ defined gravitational quantum states. Due to the relative simplicity of quantum mechanical rules for solving this problem, we could predict analytically the motion of a neutron in a grav­ itational field in the vicinity of a reflecting surface. Such a bouncing neutron can have only certain, discrete values of energy. These extremely small energy values turn out to be very sensitive probes to the presence of even tiny extra interactions, in particular those between the neutron and the mirror. Moreover, several emerging fields of research profit from experi­ ence and knowledge gained in the recent experimental observation of gravitational quantum states of ultracold neutrons, and extend the developed methods to atoms and anti-atoms, to whispering-gallery effect and other domains, thus providing more and more application for the method. Quantum bouncing particles could play their role in quantum tests of the equivalence principle, in explorations of gravitational properties of antimatter, in searching for new funda­ mental short-range and other interactions beyond the Standard Model of particle physics, in surface and thin-layer physics, in chemistry, and so on. In this short note we mention results of a few previous years and project nearest developments ..
The experiment performed with ultra-cold neutrons at the Laue-Langevin Institute, Grenoble, is analyzed in view of the claim that ``neutron quantum states in Earth gravitational field'' are observed. Our conclusion is that the above claim is neither theoretically nor experimentally substantiated. We also criticize the statement that ``observation of the gravitationally bound quantum states of neutrons and the related experimental techniques provide a unique tool for a broad range of investigations in fundamental physics of particles and fields''.
We will review the discovery and characterization of gravitationally bound quantum states of neutrons. The lowest neutron quantum states in a gravitational potential were distinguished and characterized by a measurement of their spatial extent. The neutron transmission was observed through a slit with an absorbing top surface at a variable height. Second, a position-sensitive detector was used for a direct visualization of the wavefunction. An application is the search for new short-range interactions, which would alter the waveform of the quantum states.
This unique book demonstrates the undivided unity and infinite diversity of quantum mechanics using a single phenomenon: quantum bounces of ultra-cold particles. Various examples of such "quantum bounces" are: gravitational quantum states of ultra-cold neutrons (the first observed quantum states of matter in a gravitational field), the neutron whispering gallery (an observed matter-wave analog of the whispering gallery effect well known in acoustics and for electromagnetic waves), and gravitational and whispering gallery states for anti-matter atoms that remain to be observed. These quantum states are an invaluable tool in the search for additional fundamental short-range forces, for exploring the gravitational interaction and quantum effects of gravity, for probing physics beyond the standard model, and for furthering studies into the foundations of quantum mechanics, quantum optics, and surface science.