Pursuing quantum aspects of gravity with milligram scale pendulums

Onur Hosten (ISTA)

Nov 12. 2026, 14:45 — 15:15

Whether gravity must obey the laws of quantum mechanics has remained unresolved for nearly a century. Recent self-consistent models coupling quantum mechanics and classical gravity sharpen the question, leaving experiment as the ultimate arbiter. Gravity-mediated entanglement offers a route to test gravity's quantum nature, though the challenges are formidable. I will discuss our efforts using milligram-scale torsion pendulums and optical cavities to approach this regime.

Further Information
Venue:
ESI Boltzmann Lecture Hall
Associated Event:
Quantum Probes of Gravity (Workshop)
Organizer(s):
Christopher Hilweg (U of Vienna)
Thomas Mieling (FZ Jülich)
Marius A. Oancea (U of Vienna)
Dennis Rätzel (U Bremen)
Philip Walther (U of Vienna)
Magdalena Zych (U Stockholm)