Mirror-induced decoherence in hybrid quantum-classical theory Articles uri icon

publication date

  • October 2014

issue

  • 4

volume

  • 90

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 2469-9926

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 2469-9934

abstract

  • We reanalyze the optomechanical interferometer experiment proposed by Marshall et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 130401 (2003)] with the help of a recently developed quantum-classical hybrid theory. This leads to an alternative evaluation of the mirror-induced decoherence. Surprisingly, we find that it behaves essentially in the same way for suitable initial conditions and experimentally relevant parameters, no matter whether the mirror is considered a classical or quantum-mechanical object. We discuss the parameter ranges where this result holds and possible implications for a test of spontaneous collapse models for which this experiment has been designed.

subjects

  • Mathematics