Probing quantum grav ity effects with ion trap

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method using a single trapped ion and laser interactions to detect quantum gravity effects, specifically deviations from the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, offering a new approach to probe spacetime quantization.

Contribution

It introduces a novel scheme to test quantum gravity effects with a single ion, reducing complexity compared to macroscopic experiments and setting new upper limits for deformation parameters.

Findings

Proposed a laser-ion interaction scheme to detect spacetime quantization effects.

Set a new upper limit for the quantum gravity deformation parameter.

Demonstrated feasibility of probing quantum gravity with microscopic systems.

Abstract

The existence of minimal length scale has motivated the proposal of generalized uncertainty principle, which provides a potential routine to probe quantum gravitational effects in low-energy quantum mechanics experiment. Hitherto, the tabletop experiment of testing deviations from ordinary quantum mechanics are mostly based on microscopic objects. However, the feasibility of these studies are challenged by the recent study of spacetime quantization for composite macroscopic body. In this paper, we propose a scheme to probe quantum gravity effects by revealing the deviations from predictions of Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Our scheme focus on manipulating the interaction sequences between external laser fields and a single trapped ion to seek evidence of spacetime quantization, therefore reduce the complicity induced by large bodies to some extent. The relevant study for microscopic particles is crucial considering the lack of satisfactory theories regarding basic properties for multi-particles in the framework of quantum gravity. Meanwhile, we are managed to set a new upper limit for deformation parameter.