Superconducting electro-mechanics to test Di\'osi-Penrose effects of general relativity in massive superpositions

TL;DR

This paper proposes using superconducting electro-mechanical systems to experimentally test the Di"osi-Penrose hypothesis, exploring the interplay between quantum mechanics and general relativity in massive superpositions.

Contribution

It identifies parameter requirements for experiments that could reveal quantum-gravity effects, comparing various mechanical systems coupled to superconducting circuits.

Findings

Derived conditions for observing Di"osi-Penrose effects in massive superpositions

Compared different mechanical oscillator systems for feasibility

Provided a framework for experimental tests of quantum gravity effects

Abstract

Attempting to reconcile general relativity with quantum mechanics is one of the great undertakings of contemporary physics. Here we present how the incompatibility between the two theories arises in the simple thought experiment of preparing a heavy object in a quantum superposition. Following Penrose's analysis of the problem, we determine the requirements on physical parameters to perform experiments where both theories potentially interplay. We use these requirements to compare different systems, focusing on mechanical oscillators which can be coupled to superconducting circuits.