Speaker: Germain Tobar (University of Cambridge)

Title: Tests of spontaneous wavefunction collapse with qubit-coupled mechanical resonators 

Abstract: Quantum mechanics is one of the most fundamental physical theories and is very well tested in the microscopic regime. However, the application of the core principles of quantum mechanics to macroscopic systems is not well understood. In fact, it is not known whether quantum mechanics applies to such large systems. Recently it has been shown that superconducting qubits allow sophisticated quantum control of massive mechanical resonators. In this talk, I will present a framework for how a qubit-coupled mechanical resonator can be used to test the quantum mechanics of macroscopic objects. By applying quantum master equation approaches, and combining them with new quantum control strategies, I will show that quantum electromechanics can be used to perform stringent tests of spontaneous wavefunction collapse.