Bringing quantum mechanics to life: from Schr\"{o}dinger's cat to Schr\"{o}dinger's microbe

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in quantum mechanics experiments, especially involving superposition and entanglement, and discusses the potential realization of quantum states in living microbes and biological processes.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent experimental progress and theoretical proposals for creating quantum superpositions in biological entities and their implications.

Findings

Quantum superposition has been achieved in larger systems.

Quantum coherence may influence biological processes.

Proposals exist for realizing quantum states in microbes.

Abstract

The question whether quantum mechanics is complete and the nature of the transition between quantum mechanics and classical mechanics have intrigued physicists for decades. There have been many experimental breakthroughs in creating larger and larger quantum superposition and entangled states since Erwin Schr\"odinger proposed his famous thought experiment of putting a cat in a superposition of both alive and dead states in 1935. Remarkably, recent developments in quantum optomechanics and electromechanics may lead to the realization of quantum superposition of living microbes soon. Recent evidence also suggests that quantum coherence may play an important role in several biological processes. In this review, we first give a brief introduction to basic concepts in quantum mechanics and the Schr\"odinger's cat thought experiment. We then review developments in creating quantum superposition and entangled states and the realization of quantum teleportation. Non-trivial quantum effects in photosynthetic light harvesting and avian magnetoreception are also discussed. At last, we review recent proposals to realize quantum superposition, entanglement and state teleportation of microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria.