Universität Wien

260062 VO Testing quantum physics on the large scale (2026W)

5.00 ECTS (3.00 SWS), SPL 26 - Physik
Moodle
Mo 19.10. 13:15-15:45 Seminarraum 18 Kolingasse 14-16, OG02

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Details

Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 05.10. 13:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 18 Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Monday 12.10. 13:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 18 Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Monday 09.11. 13:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 18 Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Monday 16.11. 13:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 18 Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Monday 23.11. 13:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 18 Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Monday 30.11. 13:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 18 Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Monday 07.12. 13:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 18 Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Monday 14.12. 13:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 18 Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Monday 11.01. 13:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 18 Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Monday 18.01. 13:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 18 Kolingasse 14-16, OG02

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Goal of this lecture is to provide a comprehensive review of tests of quantum physics on the macroscopic scale - i.e., tests of quantum physics with macroscopic masses and/or over macroscopic distances. The lecture will provide an overview of historical developments, the motivation behind experimental tests of quantum physics and a discussion of the limitations of such tests and venues to overcome these limitations in proposed future experiments.

* Quantum measurement problem, possible limitations of quantum physics
* Environmental decoherence & isolation from the environment
* Possible deviations from quantum physics (Collapse models, Macrorealism, Deviations due to gravity)
* heating of center-of-mass motion
* matter-wave interference
* quantum optomechanics and its use for fundamental tests
* gravitational decoherence of massive superpositions
* gravitational decoherence of entanglement
* Rotational revival and rotational alignment decay
* experimental limitations
- imperfect isolation (blackbody radiation, gas collisions)
- vibrations
- limited statistics
- limited free-fall time
* proposals for future experiments

Assessment and permitted materials

Participation during the course and a final oral exam. Possible times and the place for the exam will be put online soon. Lecture materials will be made available online via moodle.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students should have completed the following courses:
Introduction to Physics I-IV
Theoretical Physics I-II

Examination topics

During the oral exam, I will ask questions about the whole content of the lecture, but I will focus on getting a grasp on whether the student has understood the underlying concepts. I will not ask for ad-hoc derivations or calculations.

Reading list

W. P. Schleich. Quantum Optics in Phase Space. WILEY-VCH Verlag, Berlin,
2001.
Maximilian A. Schlosshauer. Decoherence and the Quantum-to-Classical Transition.
Springer, Berlin, 2007.
S. Nimmrichter. Macroscopic Matter-wave Interferometry. PhD thesis, Univeristy
of Vienna, 2013.
Rainer Kaltenbaek et al. Quantum Sci. Technol. 8 014006, 2023

Association in the course directory

ART, M-VAF A 2, M-VAF B, Doktorat Physik

Last modified: Th 13.08.2026 12:26