Quantum-classical hypothesis tests in macroscopic matter-wave interferometry [article]

Björn Schrinski, Stefan Nimmrichter, Klaus Hornberger
2020 arXiv   pre-print
We assess the most macroscopic matter-wave experiments to date as to the extent to which they probe the quantum-classical boundary by demonstrating interference of heavy molecules and cold atomic ensembles. To this end, we consider a rigorous Bayesian test protocol for a parametrized set of hypothetical modifications of quantum theory, including well-studied spontaneous collapse models, that destroy superpositions and reinstate macrorealism. The range of modification parameters ruled out by the
more » ... measurement events quantifies the macroscopicity of a quantum experiment, while the shape of the posterior distribution resulting from the Bayesian update reveals how conclusive the data are at testing macrorealism. This protocol may serve as a guide for the design of future matter-wave experiments ever closer to truly macroscopic scales.
arXiv:2004.03392v1 fatcat:mj2b76n6k5e57kyv5tryci3qky