Schrödinger's Cheshire Cat: Measuring the Diósi-Penrose Collapse Time

For nearly 100 years, the paradox of Schrödinger's Cat has remained unresolved. Why does the world we live in appear classical despite being composed of quantum particles governed by the Schrödinger wave equation? Lajos Diósi and Roger Penrose propose the wavefunction collapses because it describes two incompatible space-times, demonstrating an inconsistency between quantum mechanics and general relativity. To avoid this paradox, collapse must occur within Heisenberg's time-energy uncertainty limit. Subatomic particles with low mass, and correspondingly low energy, collapse in years, while superposed cats would collapse almost instantaneously. We propose a table-top experiment to put two small mirrors into superposition and observe them collapse in a time consistent with the Diósi-Penrose model. We employ two techniques to perform this experiment in ambient laboratory conditions. Most experiments separate a small mass by a large distance. In contrast, we displace a large mass by a small distance where the self-energy follows an inverse square law with correspondingly high collapse times. We further use a symmetrical apparatus, where a break in symmetry indicates collapse independent of decoherence.For nearly 100 years, the paradox of Schrödinger's Cat has remained unresolved. Why does the world we live in appear classical despite being composed of quantum particles governed by the Schrödinger wave equation? Lajos Diósi and Roger Penrose propose the wavefunction collapses because it describes two incompatible space-times, demonstrating an inconsistency between quantum mechanics and general relativity. To avoid this paradox, collapse must occur within Heisenberg's time-energy uncertainty limit. Subatomic particles with low mass, and correspondingly low energy, collapse in years, while superposed cats would collapse almost instantaneously. We propose a table-top experiment to put two small mirrors into superposition and observe them collapse in a time consistent with the Diósi-Penrose model. We employ two techniques to perform this experiment in ambient laboratory conditions. Most experiments separate a small mass by a large distance. In contrast, we displace a large mass by a small distance where the self-energy follows an inverse square law with correspondingly high collapse times. We further use a symmetrical apparatus, where a break in symmetry indicates collapse independent of decoherence.

arXiv:2402.02618Feb 4, 20241 citation

Probing gravity-related decoherence with a 16 $μ$ g Schrödinger cat stateProbing gravity-related decoherence with a 16 $μ$g Schrödinger cat state

Matteo Fadel

The Schrödinger equation predicts the validity of the superposition principle at any scale, yet we do not experience cats being in a superposition of "dead" and "alive" in our everyday lives. Modifications to quantum theory at the fundamental level may be responsible for the objective collapse of the wave function above a critical mass, thereby breaking down the superposition principle and restoring classical behavior at the macroscopic scale. One possibility is that these modifications are related to gravity, as described by the Diósi-Penrose wavefunction collapse model. Here, we investigate this model using experimental measurements on the decoherence of a Schrödinger cat state of a mechanical resonator with an effective mass of 16 micrograms.The Schrödinger equation predicts the validity of the superposition principle at any scale, yet we do not experience cats being in a superposition of "dead" and "alive" in our everyday lives. Modifications to quantum theory at the fundamental level may be responsible for the objective collapse of the wave function above a critical mass, thereby breaking down the superposition principle and restoring classical behavior at the macroscopic scale. One possibility is that these modifications are related to gravity, as described by the Diósi-Penrose wavefunction collapse model. Here, we investigate this model using experimental measurements on the decoherence of a Schrödinger cat state of a mechanical resonator with an effective mass of 16 micrograms.

arXiv:2305.04780May 8, 20231 citation

Schrödinger’ s Cat is Dead

Gregory R. Mulhauser

Studies in cognitive systemsJan 1, 19980 citations

Probing gravity-related decoherence with a 16

μ

g Schrödinger cat state