Jul 31 -- Aug 12
Benasque, Spain
AboutThe Workshop Gravity in the Lab will gather leading scientists in theory and experiment who aim at measuring gravitational effects in the laboratory. This includes classical and quantum methods with an open interdisciplinary scope. The 20th century witnessed the birth of both quantum mechanics and relativity. However, the inability to unify the underlying concepts of these two theories remains one of the biggest unsolved problems in physics. New experimental opportunities that are quickly developing promise to provide deeper insights into the interface between gravity and quantum theory. There are very good reasons to belive that we are very close to directly detecting gravitational waves and quantum optics has been playing a central role in the most advanced experiments. However, we are still lacking experiments that help us understand general relativity at small lengths or large energies where quantum effects become relevant. |
It has been suggested that table-top experiments may allow to falsify low-energy consequences of quantum theories of gravity and experiments are underway. Another important approach is the study of large quantum superposition states involving clocks or increasingly massive objects, where experiments promise to be within reach in the near future. Finally, space-based quantum experiments promise a new generation of experiments at the interface of these two fundamental theories.
Recently there has been fast progress in the measurement of gravitational parameters at smaller (laboratory) length scales using quantum systems such as cold neutrons and atoms. These include high-sensitivity measurements of the Newtonian constant, of the gravity field-gradient and –curvature and of short-range gravitational forces. There have even been proposals to use these systems to measure gravitational waves and demonstrate quantum field theory in curved space-time.
The workshop will offer students and researchers lectures that will provide the basic techniques necessary to propose, develop and interpret experiments in the overlap of quantum theory and relativity. Leading scientists will present the latest updates in topics such as measurements of gravitational waves, quantum tests of the equivalence principle, quantum metrology for gravitational fields and space-based quantum experiments.
Recently there has been fast progress in the measurement of gravitational parameters at smaller (laboratory) length scales using quantum systems such as cold neutrons and atoms. These include high-sensitivity measurements of the Newtonian constant, of the gravity field-gradient and –curvature and of short-range gravitational forces. There have even been proposals to use these systems to measure gravitational waves and demonstrate quantum field theory in curved space-time.
The workshop will offer students and researchers lectures that will provide the basic techniques necessary to propose, develop and interpret experiments in the overlap of quantum theory and relativity. Leading scientists will present the latest updates in topics such as measurements of gravitational waves, quantum tests of the equivalence principle, quantum metrology for gravitational fields and space-based quantum experiments.
Organising committee:
• Phillippe Bouyer (CNRS)
• Ivette Fuentes (University of Vienna)
• Mark Kasevich (Stanford University)
• Augusto Smerzi (CNR-INO)
• Ivette Fuentes (University of Vienna)
• Mark Kasevich (Stanford University)
• Augusto Smerzi (CNR-INO)