Beecroft Building, Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU
Professor Ivette Fuentes, University of Southampton
Abstract
The unification of quantum theory and general relativity remains one of the most profound challenges in fundamental physics. A significant obstacle is the lack of experimental data at scales where quantum and relativistic effects intersect. Developing instruments sensitive to these scales could also shed light on other pressing questions, such as the nature of dark energy and dark matter. In this talk, I will explore how Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) can be utilized to investigate these phenomena. I will discuss the challenges in current setups to test whether gravity induces the collapse of the wavefunction. Current experimental approaches typically involve solids, such as mirrors and glass nanobeads; however, BECs, with their unbound atoms and unique quantum states, might offer distinct advantages. I will also introduce a proposal for using BECs to conduct precise tests of the two key components of the gravitational potential in Λ-gravity: the Newtonian term and the cosmological constant.