An interferometric gravitational wave detector as a quantum-gravity apparatus

TL;DR

This paper proposes using the extreme precision of interferometric gravitational wave detectors as a means to explore the quantum-gravity interface, leveraging their quantum effects for fundamental physics investigations.

Contribution

It introduces the novel idea of employing gravitational wave detectors as quantum-gravity probes, highlighting their potential beyond astrophysical observations.

Findings

Quantum effects are significant in gravitational wave detectors.

Detectors can be used to test quantum-gravity interactions.

Potential for new fundamental physics experiments.

Abstract

As a consequence of the extreme precision of the measurements it performs, an interferometric gravitational wave detector is a macroscopic apparatus for which quantum effects are not negligible. I observe that this property can be exploited to probe some aspects of the interplay between Quantum Mechanics and Gravity.