Search

The quest to determine whether gravity is quantum has challenged physicists since the mid 20th century, due to the impracticability of accessing the Planck scale, where potential quantum gravity effects are expected to become relevant. While recent entanglement-based tests have provided a more promising theoretical path forward, the difficulty of preparing and controlling large quantum states has hindered practical progress. We present an alternative strategy that shifts the focus from complex quantum state manipulation to the simpler observation of a probe's motion. By proving that a classical and local gravitational field must inherently display randomness to interact consistently with quantum matter, we show that this randomness induces measurable diffusion in a probe's motion, even when the probe is in a classical state. This diffusion serves as a distinctive signature of classical gravity coupling to quantum matter. Our approach leverages existing experimental techniques, requiring only the accurate tracking of a probe's classical center of mass motion, and does not need any quantum state preparation, thereby positioning this method as a promising and practical avenue for advancing the investigation into the quantum nature of gravity., Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures

Spontaneous wavefunction collapse models offer a solution to the quantum measurement problem, by modifying the Schr\"odinger equation with nonlinear and stochastic terms. The Continuous Spontaneous Localisation (CSL) model is the most studied among these models, with phenomenological parameters that are constrained by experiments. Here, we exploit the recent analysis of LISA Pathfinder's angular motion data to derive a tighter constraint than previously achieved with translational motion. Moreover, we identify the general conditions for preferring rotational measurement over translational ones for constraining the CSL model.

Frequency-based synthetic dimensions are a promising avenue to extend the dimensionality of photonic systems. In this work, we show how a tilted synthetic lattice is naturally realised by periodically modulating a single-mode resonator under a coherent monochromatic drive. We theoretically study the Bloch wave dynamics in the tilted synthetic lattice, which gives rise to peculiar features in the spectral distribution of the cavity field. Our predictions are experimentally confirmed using a planar tunable superconducting microwave resonator., Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures

Levitated ferromagnets act as ultraprecise magnetometers, which can exhibit high quality factors due to their excellent isolation from the environment. These instruments can be utilized in searches for ultralight dark matter candidates, such as axionlike dark matter or dark-photon dark matter. In addition to being sensitive to an axion-photon coupling or kinetic mixing, which produce physical magnetic fields, ferromagnets are also sensitive to the effective magnetic field (or "axion wind") produced by an axion-electron coupling. While the dynamics of a levitated ferromagnet in response to a DC magnetic field have been well studied, all of these couplings would produce AC fields. In this work, we study the response of a ferromagnet to an applied AC magnetic field and use these results to project their sensitivity to axion and dark-photon dark matter. We pay special attention to the direction of motion induced by an applied AC field, in particular, whether it precesses around the applied field (similar to an electron spin) or librates in the plane of the field (similar to a compass needle). We show that existing levitated ferromagnet setups can already have comparable sensitivity to an axion-electron coupling as comagnetometer or torsion balance experiments. In addition, future setups can become sensitive probes of axion-electron coupling, dark-photon kinetic mixing, and axion-photon coupling, for ultralight dark matter masses $m_\mathrm{DM}\lesssim\mathrm{feV}$., Comment: 21 pages, 6 figures. Published version

Recent advancements in quantum technologies and advanced detection experiments have underscored the pressing need for the detection of exceedingly weak signals within the microwave frequency spectrum. Addressing this challenge, the Josephson Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifier (JTWPA) has been proposed as a cryogenic front-end amplifier capable of approaching the quantum noise limit while providing a relevant bandwidth. This research is centered on a comprehensive numerical investigation of the JTWPA, without resorting to simplifications regarding the nonlinearity of the essential components. Specifically, this study focuses on a thorough examination of the system, characterized by coupled nonlinear differential equations representing all components of the device. Proper input and output signals at the device's boundaries are considered. The analysis of the output signals undergoing the parametric amplification process involves a detailed exploration of phase-space dynamics and Fourier spectral analysis of the output voltage. This study is conducted while considering the parameters ruling the response of the device under pump and signal excitations. In addition to the expected signal amplification, the findings reveal that the nonlinear nature of the system can give rise to unforeseen phenomena, depending on the system's operational conditions, which include: the generation of pump tone harmonics, modulation of the signal gain, and incommensurate frequency generation-effects that are not easily accommodated by simplistic linearized approaches, Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, DARTWARS project - INFN (Italy)

Noise at the quantum limit over a broad bandwidth is a fundamental requirement for future cryogenic experiments for neutrino mass measurements, dark matter searches and Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) measurements as well as for fast high-fidelity read-out of superconducting qubits. In the last years, Josephson Parametric Amplifiers (JPA) have demonstrated noise levels close to the quantum limit, but due to their narrow bandwidth, only few detectors or qubits per line can be read out in parallel. An alternative and innovative solution is based on superconducting parametric amplification exploiting the travelling-wave concept. Within the DARTWARS (Detector Array Readout with Travelling Wave AmplifieRS) project, we develop Kinetic Inductance Travelling-Wave Parametric Amplifiers (KI-TWPAs) for low temperature detectors and qubit read-out. KI-TWPAs are typically operated in a threewave mixing (3WM) mode and are characterised by a high gain, a high saturation power, a large amplification bandwidth and nearly quantum limited noise performance. The goal of the DARTWARS project is to optimise the KI-TWPA design, explore new materials, and investigate alternative fabrication processes in order to enhance the overall performance of the amplifier. In this contribution we present the advancements made by the DARTWARS collaboration to produce a working prototype of a KI-TWPA, from the fabrication to the characterisation.

Superconducting parametric amplifiers offer the capability to amplify feeble signals with extremely low levels of added noise, potentially reaching quantum-limited amplification. This characteristic makes them essential components in the realm of high-fidelity quantum computing and serves to propel advancements in the field of quantum sensing. In particular, Traveling-Wave Parametric Amplifiers (TWPAs) may be especially suitable for practical applications due to their multi-Gigahertz amplification bandwidth, a feature lacking in Josephson Parametric Amplifiers (JPAs), despite the latter being a more established technology. This paper presents recent developments of the DARTWARS (Detector Array Readout with Traveling Wave AmplifieRS) project, focusing on the latest prototypes of Kinetic Inductance TWPAs (KITWPAs). The project aims to develop a KITWPA capable of achieving $20\,$ dB of amplification. To enhance the production yield, the first prototypes were fabricated with half the length and expected gain of the final device. In this paper, we present the results of the characterization of one of the half-length prototypes. The measurements revealed an average amplification of approximately $9\,$dB across a $2\,$GHz bandwidth for a KITWPA spanning $17\,$mm in length.

A quantum limit on the measurement of magnetic field has been recently pointed out, stating that the so-called Energy Resolution $E_\mathrm{R}$ is bounded to $E_\mathrm{R} \gtrsim \hbar$. This limit holds indeed true for the vast majority of existing quantum magnetometers, including SQUIDs, solid state spins and optically pumped atomic magnetometers. However, it can be surpassed by highly correlated spin systems, as recently demonstrated with a single-domain spinor Bose-Einstein Condensate. Here we show that similar and potentially much better resolution can be achieved with a hard ferromagnet levitated above a superconductor at cryogenic temperature. We demonstrate $E_\mathrm{R}=\left( 0.064 \pm 0.010 \right) \, \hbar$ and anticipate that $E_\mathrm{R}<10^{-3} \, \hbar$ is within reach with near-future improvements. This finding opens the way to new applications in condensed matter, biophysics and fundamental science. In particular, we propose an experiment to search for axionlike dark matter and project a sensitivity orders of magnitude better than in previous searches., Comment: 26 pages, 8 figures (including Supplementary Information)

In 1971, Zel'dovich predicted the amplification of electromagnetic (EM) waves scattered by a rotating metallic cylinder, gaining mechanical rotational energy from the body. Since then, this phenomenon has been believed to be unobservable with electromagnetic fields due to technological difficulties in meeting the condition of amplification, that is, the cylinder must rotate faster than the frequency of the incoming radiation. Here, we show that this key piece of fundamental physics has been hiding in plain sight for the past 60 years in the physics of induction generators. We measure the amplification of an electromagnetic field, generated by a toroid LC-circuit, scattered by an aluminium cylinder spinning in the toroid gap. We show that when the Zel'dovich condition is met, the resistance induced by the cylinder becomes negative implying amplification of the incoming EM waves. These results reveal the connection between the concept of induction generators and the physics of this fundamental effect that was believed to be unobservable, and hence open new prospects towards testing the Zel'dovich mechanism in the quantum regime, as well as related quantum friction effects., Comment: 5 pages and 3 figure plus supplementary file

A wide-bandwidth and low-noise amplification chain in the microwave regime is crucial for the efficient read-out of quantum systems based on superconducting detectors, such as Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs), Transition Edge Sensors (TESs), Magnetic Microcalorimeters (MMCs), and RF cavities, as well as qubits. Kinetic Inductance Travelling Wave Parametric Amplifiers (KI-TWPAs) operated in a three-wave mixing fashion have demonstrated exceptional dynamic range and low-noise performance, approaching the quantum limit. These amplifiers can be fabricated using a single layer of a high kinetic inductance film as weakly dispersive artificial transmission lines, with the ability to control the phase-matched bandwidth through dispersion engineering. In this study, we present the optimisation of the rf sputter-deposition process of NbTiN films using a Nb80%T20 target, with the goal of achieving precise control over film characteristics, resulting in high kinetic inductance while maintaining a high transition temperature. The parameter landscape related to the different sputtering conditions, such as pressure, power, and nitrogen flow, has been explored and the film thickness has been used as a fine-tuning parameter to adjust the properties of the final NbTiN films used for the fabrication of KI-TWPAs. As a final result, we have obtained a NbTiN film with a kinetic inductance of 8.5 pH/sq which we have exploited to fabricate KI-TWPA prototype devices, showing promising amplification performance.

Quantum Sensing is a rapidly expanding research field that finds one of its applications in Fundamental Physics, as the search for Dark Matter. Devices based on superconducting qubits have already been successfully applied in detecting few-GHz single photons via Quantum Non-Demolition measurement (QND). This technique allows us to perform repeatable measurements, bringing remarkable sensitivity improvements and dark count rate suppression in experiments based on high-precision microwave photon detection, such as for Axions and Dark Photons search. In this context, the INFN Qub-IT project goal is to realize an itinerant single-photon counter based on superconducting qubits that will exploit QND for enhancing Axion search experiments. In this study, we present Qub-IT's status towards the realization of its first superconducting qubit device, illustrating design and simulation procedures and the characterization of fabricated Coplanar Waveguide Resonators (CPWs) for readout. We match target qubit parameters and assess a few-percent level agreement between lumped and distributed element simulation models. We reach a maximum internal quality factor of 9.2x10^5 for -92 dBm on-chip readout power.

Gravity differs from all other known fundamental forces since it is best described as a curvature of spacetime. For that reason it remains resistant to unifications with quantum theory. Gravitational interaction is fundamentally weak and becomes prominent only at macroscopic scales. This means, we do not know what happens to gravity in the microscopic regime where quantum effects dominate, and whether quantum coherent effects of gravity become apparent. Levitated mechanical systems of mesoscopic size offer a probe of gravity, while still allowing quantum control over their motional state. This regime opens the possibility of table-top testing of quantum superposition and entanglement in gravitating systems. Here we show gravitational coupling between a levitated sub-millimeter scale magnetic particle inside a type-I superconducting trap and kg source masses, placed approximately half a meter away. Our results extend gravity measurements to low gravitational forces of attonewton and underline the importance of levitated mechanical sensors. Specifically, at a frequency of 26.7 Hz, a mass of 0.4 mg and showing Q-factors in excess of 10$^7$, we obtained a force noise of 0.5 $fN\sqrt{Hz}$ . We simultaneously detect the other 5 rotational and translational degrees of freedom., Comment: 13 pages, with 13 pages supplementary materials

DARTWARS (Detector Array Readout with Traveling Wave AmplifieRS) is a three years project that aims to develop high-performing innovative Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifiers (TWPAs) for low temperature detectors and qubit readout (C-band). The practical development follows two different promising approaches, one based on the Josephson junctions (TWJPA) and the other one based on the kinetic inductance of a high-resistivity superconductor (KITWPA). This paper presents the advancements made by the DARTWARS collaboration to produce a first working prototype of a KITWPA., Comment: 3 pages, 4 figures. Proceeding of Pisa15th Meeting conference

The DARTWARS project has the goal of developing high-performing innovative travelling wave parametric amplifiers with high gain, large bandwidth, high saturation power, and nearly quantum-limited noise. The target frequency region for its applications is 5 - 10 GHz, with an expected noise temperature of about 600 mK. The development follows two different approaches, one based on Josephson junctions and one based on kinetic inductance of superconductors. This contribution mainly focuses on the Josephson travelling wave parametric amplifier, presenting its design, preliminary measurements and the test of homogeneity of arrays of Josephson junctions., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures. Proceeding of Pisa15th Meeting conference. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2111.03409

Noise at the quantum limit over a large bandwidth is a fundamental requirement for future applications operating at millikelvin temperatures, such as the neutrino mass measurement, the next-generation x-ray observatory, the CMB measurement, the dark matter and axion detection, and the rapid high-fidelity readout of superconducting qubits. The read out sensitivity of arrays of microcalorimeter detectors, resonant axion-detectors, and qubits, is currently limited by the noise temperature and bandwidth of the cryogenic amplifiers. The DARTWARS (Detector Array Readout with Traveling Wave AmplifieRS) project has the goal of developing high-performing innovative traveling wave parametric amplifiers (TWPAs) with a high gain, a high saturation power, and a quantum-limited or nearly quantum-limited noise. The practical development follows two different promising approaches, one based on the Josephson junctions and the other one based on the kinetic inductance of a high-resistivity superconductor. In this contribution we present the aims of the project, the adopted design solutions and preliminary results from simulations and measurements.

We present an experimental procedure, based on Meissner effect levitation of neodymium ferromagnets, as a method of measuring the gravitational interactions between mg masses. The scheme consists of two superconducting lead traps, with a magnet levitating in each trap. The levitating magnets behave as harmonic oscillators, and by carefully driving the motion of one magnet on resonance with the other, we find that it should be easily possible to measure the gravitational field produced by a 4~mg sphere, with the gravitational attraction from masses as small as 30~$\mu$g predicted to be measurable within realistic a realistic measurement time frame. We apply this acceleration sensitivity to one concrete example and show the ability of testing models of modified Newtonian dynamics., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures

The possibility that the collapse of the wave function in quantum mechanics is a real and ultimately connected to (classical) gravity has been debated for decades, with main contributions by Di\'osi and Penrose. In particular, Di\'osi proposed a noise-based dynamical reduction model, which captures the same orders of magnitude for the collapse time suggested by Penrose based on heuristic arguments. This is known in literature as the DP model (Di\'osi-Penrose). A peculiarity of the DP model is the prediction of spontaneous heating of matter, which can be tested without the need for massive quantum superpositions. Notably, a very similar effect is predicted by recent theoretical approaches to gravity as a classical-only information channel. Here, we reconsider the current constraints on the DP model from spontaneous heating, by analyzing experimental situations not properly considered before. We argue that the the parameter-free version of the DP model is close to be ruled out by standard heat leak measurements at ultralow temperature, with a conclusive exclusion likely within reach with existing technology. This result would strengthen a recent claim of exclusion inferred by spontaneous x-ray emission experiments, which relies on the somewhat stronger assumption that the DP noise field is white up to x-ray frequencies., Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure. Article prepared for the Special Topic Collection "Celebrating Sir Roger Penrose's Nobel Prize"

The advent of ultra-low noise microwave amplifiers revolutionized several research fields demanding quantum-limited technologies. Exploiting a theoretical bimodal description of a linear phase-preserving amplifier, in this contribution we analyze some of the intrinsic properties of a model architecture (i.e., an rf-SQUID based Josephson Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifier) in terms of amplification and noise generation for key case study input states (Fock and coherents). Furthermore, we present an analysis of the output signals generated by the parametric amplification mechanism when thermal noise fluctuations feed the device., Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures

We discuss the fundamental noise limitations of a ferromagnetic torque sensor based on a levitated magnet in the tipping regime. We evaluate the optimal magnetic field resolution taking into account the thermomechanical noise and the mechanical detection noise at the standard quantum limit (SQL). We find that the Energy Resolution Limit (ERL), pointed out in recent literature as a relevant benchmark for most classes of magnetometers, can be surpassed by many orders of magnitude. Moreover, similarly to the case of a ferromagnetic gyroscope, it is also possible to surpass the standard quantum limit for magnetometry with independent spins, arising from spin-projection noise. Our finding indicates that magnetomechanical systems optimized for magnetometry can achieve a magnetic field resolution per unit volume several orders of magnitude better than any conventional magnetometer. We discuss possible implications, focusing on fundamental physics problems such as the search for exotic interactions beyond the standard model., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures

A ferromagnetic gyroscope (FG) is a ferromagnet whose angular momentum is dominated by electron spin polarization and that will precess under the action of an external torque, such as that due to a magnetic field. Here we model and analyze FG dynamics and sensitivity, focusing on practical schemes for experimental realization. In the case of a freely floating FG, we model the transition from dynamics dominated by libration in relatively high externally applied magnetic fields, to those dominated by precession at relatively low applied fields. Measurement of the libration frequency enables in situ measurement of the magnetic field and a technique to reduce the field below the threshold for which precession dominates the FG dynamics. We note that evidence of gyroscopic behavior is present even at magnetic fields much larger than the threshold field below which precession dominates. We also model the dynamics of an FG levitated above a type-I superconductor via the Meissner effect, and find that for FGs with dimensions larger than about 100 nm the observed precession frequency is reduced compared to that of a freely floating FG. This is akin to negative feedback that arises from the distortion of the field from the FG by the superconductor. Finally we assess the sensitivity of an FG levitated above a type-I superconductor to exotic spin-dependent interactions under practical experimental conditions, demonstrating the potential of FGs for tests of fundamental physics., Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures

Zel'dovich proposed that electromagnetic (EM) waves with angular momentum reflected from a rotating metallic, lossy cylinder will be amplified. However, we are still lacking a direct experimental EM-wave verification of this fifty-year old prediction due to the challenging conditions in which the phenomenon manifests itself: the mechanical rotation frequency of the cylinder must be comparable with the EM oscillation frequency. Here we propose an experimental approach that solves this issue and is predicted to lead to a measurable Zel'dovich amplification with existing superconducting circuit technology. We design a superconducting circuit with low frequency EM modes that couple through free-space to a magnetically levitated and spinning micro-sphere placed at the center of the circuit. We theoretically estimate the circuit EM mode gain and show that rotation of the micro-sphere can lead to experimentally observable amplification, thus paving the way for the first EM-field experimental demonstration of Zel'dovich amplification., Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures

Despite the unquestionable empirical success of quantum theory, witnessed by the recent uprising of quantum technologies, the debate on how to reconcile the theory with the macroscopic classical world is still open. Spontaneous collapse models are one of the few testable solutions so far proposed. In particular, the continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) model has become subject of an intense experimental research. Experiments looking for the universal force noise predicted by CSL in ultrasensitive mechanical resonators have recently set the strongest unambiguous bounds on CSL; further improving these experiments by direct reduction of mechanical noise is technically challenging. Here, we implement a recently proposed alternative strategy, that aims at enhancing the CSL noise by exploiting a multilayer test mass attached on a high quality factor microcantilever. The test mass is specifically designed to enhance the effect of CSL noise at the characteristic length $r_c=10^{-7}$ m. The measurements are in good agreement with pure thermal motion for temperatures down to 100 mK. From the absence of excess noise we infer a new bound on the collapse rate at the characteristic length $r_c=10^{-7}$ m, which improves over previous mechanical experiments by more than one order of magnitude. Our results are explicitly challenging a well-motivated region of the CSL parameter space proposed by Adler., Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures

Levitated nanoparticles and microparticles are excellent candidates for the realization of extremely isolated mechanical systems, with a huge potential impact in sensing applications and in quantum physics. Magnetic levitation based on static fields is a particularly interesting approach, due to the unique property of being completely passive and compatible with low temperatures. Here, we show experimentally that micromagnets levitated above type-I superconductors feature very low damping at low frequency and low temperature. In our experiment, we detect 5 out of 6 rigid-body mechanical modes of a levitated ferromagnetic microsphere, using a dc SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) with a single pick-up coil. The measured frequencies are in agreement with a finite element simulation based on ideal Meissner effect. For two specific modes we find further substantial agreement with analytical predictions based on the image method. We measure damping times $\tau$ exceeding $10^4$ s and quality factors $Q$ beyond $10^7$, improving by $2-3$ orders of magnitude over previous experiments based on the same principle. We investigate the possible residual loss mechanisms besides gas collisions, and argue that much longer damping time can be achieved with further effort and optimization. Our results open the way towards the development of ultrasensitive magnetomechanical sensors with potential applications to magnetometry and gravimetry, as well as to fundamental and quantum physics., Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures

We present a concise outlook on future experimental tests of spontaneous wave function collapse models. We discuss tests based on force noise measurements in ultrasensitive mechanical systems, spontaneous heating in ultracold solid matter and atoms, matter-wave interferometry, and ultrahigh precision measurements., Comment: Submitted as a chapter of "Do wave functions jump? Perspectives on the work of GC Ghirardi", Editors: V. Allori, A. Bassi, D. D\"urr & N. Zangh\`i; Springer International Publishing

We experimentally demonstrate stable trapping of a permanent magnet sphere above a lead superconductor, in vacuum pressures of $4 \times 10^{-8}$~mbar. The levitating magnet behaves as a harmonic oscillator, with frequencies in the 4-31~Hz range detected, and shows promise to be an ultrasensitive acceleration sensor. We directly apply an acceleration to the magnet with a current carrying wire, which we use to measure a background noise of $\sim 10^{-10} \ \text{m}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$ at 30.75~Hz frequency. With current experimental parameters, we find an acceleration sensitivity of $S_a^{1/2} = 1.2 \pm 0.2 \times 10^{-10} \ \text{g}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$, for a thermal noise limited system. By considering a 300~mK environment, at a background helium pressure of $1 \times 10^{-10}$~mbar, acceleration sensitivities of $S_a^{1/2} \sim 3 \times 10^{-15} \ \text{g}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$ could be possible with ideal conditions and vibration isolation. To feasibly measure with such a sensitivity, feedback cooling must be implemented., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, The following article has been accepted by Applied Physics Letters

Some of the most prominent theoretical predictions of modern times, e.g., the Unruh effect, Hawking radiation, and gravity-assisted particle creation, are supported by the fact that various quantum constructs like particle content and vacuum fluctuations of a quantum field are observer-dependent. Despite being fundamental in nature, these predictions have not yet been experimentally verified because one needs extremely strong gravity (or acceleration) to bring them within the existing experimental resolution. In this Letter, we demonstrate that a post-Newtonian rotating atom inside a far-detuned cavity experiences strongly modified quantum fluctuations in the inertial vacuum. As a result, the emission rate of an excited atom gets enhanced significantly along with a shift in the emission spectrum due to the change in the quantum correlation under rotation. We propose an optomechanical setup that is capable of realizing such acceleration-induced particle creation with current technology. This provides a novel and potentially feasible experimental proposal for the direct detection of noninertial quantum field theoretic effects., Comment: Published in PRL

We consider a nanoparticle levitated in a Paul trap in ultrahigh cryogenic vacuum, and look for the conditions which allow for a stringent noninterferometric test of spontaneous collapse models. In particular we compare different possible techniques to detect the particle motion. Key conditions which need to be achieved are extremely low residual pressure and the ability to detect the particle at ultralow power. We compare three different detection approaches based respectively on a optical cavity, optical tweezer and a electrical readout, and for each one we assess advantages, drawbacks and technical challenges.

Collapse models describe phenomenologically the quantum-to-classical transition by adding suitable nonlinear and stochastic terms to the Schroedinger equation, thus (slightly) modifying the dynamics of quantum systems. Experimental bounds on the collapse parameters have been derived from various experiments involving a plethora of different systems, from single atoms to gravitational wave detectors. Here, we give a comprehensive treatment of the Continuous Spontaneous Localization (CSL) model, the most studied among collapse models, for Fermi liquids. We consider both the white and non-white noise case. Application to various astrophysical sources is presented.

Models of spontaneous wave function collapse predict a small heating rate for a bulk solid, as a result of coupling to the noise field that causes collapse. This rate is small enough that ambient radioactivity and cosmic ray flux on the surface of the earth can mask the heating due to spontaneous collapse. In this paper we estimate the background noise due to gamma-radiation and cosmic ray muon flux, at different depths. We demonstrate that a low-temperature underground experiment at a depth of about 6.5 km.w.e. would have a low enough background to allow detection of bulk heating for a collapse rate $\lambda$ of $10^{-16}$ s$^{-1}$ using presently available technology., Comment: v3: 11 pages, 9 figures, parts of the paper rewritten, no change in results, to appear in Phys. Rev. A

Recently, a non-thermal excess noise, compatible with the theoretical prediction provided by collapse models, was measured in a millikelvin nanomechanical cantilever experiment [Vinante et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 110401 (2017)]. We propose a feasible implementation of the cantilever experiment able to probe such a noise. The proposed modification, completely within the grasp of current technology and readily implementable also in other type of mechanical non-interferometric experiments, consists in substituting the homogeneous test mass with one composed of different layers of different materials. This will enhance the action of a possible collapse noise above that given by standard noise sources.

We discuss limits on the noise strength parameter in mass-proportional-coupled wave function collapse models implied by bulk heating effects, and examine the role of the noise power spectrum in comparing experiments of different types. This comparison utilizes a calculation of the rate of heating through phonon excitation implied by a general noise power spectrum $\lambda(\omega)$. We find that in the standard heating formula, the reduction rate $\lambda$ is replaced by $\lambda_{\rm eff}=\frac{2}{3 \pi^{3/2}} \int d^3w e^{-\vec w^2} \vec w^2 \lambda(\omega_L(\vec w/r_c))$, with $\omega_L(\vec q)$ the longitudinal acoustic phonon frequency as a function of wave number $\vec q$, and with $r_C$ the noise correlation length. Hence if the noise power spectrum is cut off below $\omega_L(|\vec q| \sim r_c^{-1})$, the bulk heating rate is sharply reduced, allowing compatibility of current experimental results. We suggest possible new bulk heating experiments that can be performed subject to limits placed by natural heating from radioactivity and cosmic rays. The proposed experiments exploit the vanishing of thermal transport in the low temperature limit., Comment: Latex, 13 pages. Phys. Rev. A (in press). There is a text overlap with arXiv:1712.01071 and arXiv:1801.00509. Those papers are supplanted by this one and will not be published

The Continuous Spontaneous Localization (CSL) model is the best known and studied among collapse models, which modify quantum mechanics and identify the fundamental reasons behind the unobservability of quantum superpositions at the macroscopic scale. Albeit several tests were performed during the last decade, up to date the CSL parameter space still exhibits a vast unexplored region. Here, we study and propose an unattempted non-interferometric test aimed to fill this gap. We show that the angular momentum diffusion predicted by CSL heavily constrains the parametric values of the model when applied to a macroscopic object.

Spontaneous collapse models predict that a weak force noise acts on any mechanical system, as a consequence of the collapse of the wave function. Significant upper limits on the collapse rate have been recently inferred from precision mechanical experiments, such as ultracold cantilevers and the space mission LISA Pathfinder. Here, we report new results from an experiment based on a high-Q cantilever cooled to millikelvin temperatures, which is potentially able to improve the current bounds on the continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) model by 1 order of magnitude. High accuracy measurements of the cantilever thermal fluctuations reveal a nonthermal force noise of unknown origin. This excess noise is compatible with the CSL heating predicted by Adler. Several physical mechanisms able to explain the observed noise have been ruled out.ler. Several physical mechanisms able to explain the observed noise have been ruled out., Comment: 10 pages, 12 figures

We propose a scheme to detect light scalar moduli dark matter, based on measuring the change of magnetization induced in a macroscopic hard ferromagnet. Our method can probe moduli dark matter at the natural coupling to the electron mass over several orders of magnitude in the moduli mass. The most attracting feature of the proposed approach, compared to mechanical ones, is that it relies on a nonresonant detection, allowing to probe a much wider region of the parameter space. This is a crucial point, as long as the theory is not able to predict the moduli mass., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures

A search for a new scalar field, called moduli, has been performed using the cryogenic resonant-mass AURIGA detector. Predicted by string theory, moduli may provide a significant contribution to the dark matter (DM) component of our universe. If this is the case, the interaction of ordinary matter with the local DM moduli, forming the Galaxy halo, will cause an oscillation of solid bodies with a frequency corresponding to the mass of moduli. In the sensitive band of AURIGA, some $100\,\mathrm{Hz}$ at around $1\,\mathrm{kHz}$, the expected signal, with a $Q=\tfrac{\triangle f}{f}\sim10^{6}$, is a narrow peak, $\triangle f\sim1\,\mathrm{mHz}$. Here the detector strain sensitivity is $h_{s}\sim2\times10^{-21}\,\mathrm{Hz^{-1/2}}$, within a factor of $2$. These numbers translate to upper limits at $95\%\,C.L.$ on the moduli coupling to ordinary matter $d_{e}\lesssim10^{-5}$ around masses $m_{\phi}=3.6\cdot10^{-12}\,\mathrm{eV}$, for the standard DM halo model with $\rho_{DM}=0.3\,\mathrm{GeV/cm^{3}}$., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures

Wave function collapse models postulate a fundamental breakdown of the quantum superposition principle at the macroscale. Therefore, experimental tests of collapse models are also fundamental tests of quantum mechanics. Here, we compute the upper bounds on the collapse parameters, which can be inferred by the gravitational wave detectors LIGO, LISA Pathfinder, and AURIGA. We consider the most widely used collapse model, the continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) model. We show that these experiments exclude a huge portion of the CSL parameter space, the strongest bound being set by the recently launched space mission LISA Pathfinder. We also rule out a proposal for quantum-gravity-induced decoherence., Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures

The spontaneous localization mechanism of collapse models induces a Brownian motion in all physical systems. This effect is very weak, but experimental progress in creating ultracold atomic systems can be used to detect it. In this paper, we considered a recent experiment [1], where an atomic ensemble was cooled down to picokelvins. Any Brownian motion induces an extra increase of the position variance of the gas. We study this effect by solving the dynamical equations for the Continuous Spontaneous Localizations (CSL) model, as well as for its non-Markovian and dissipative extensions. The resulting bounds, with a 95% of confidence level, are beaten only by measurements of spontaneous X-ray emission and by experiments with cantilever (in the latter case, only for rC > 10^(-7) m, where rC is one of the two collapse parameters of the CSL model). We show that, contrary to the bounds given by X-ray measurements, non-Markovian effects do not change the bounds, for any reasonable choice of a frequency cutoff in the spectrum of the collapse noise. Therefore the bounds here considered are more robust. We also show that dissipative effects are unimportant for a large spectrum of temperatures of the noise, while for low temperatures the excluded region in the parameter space is the more reduced, the lower the temperature., Comment: 16 pages, 14 figures

Collapse models predict a tiny violation of energy conservation, as a consequence of the spontaneous collapse of the wave function. This property allows to set experimental bounds on their parameters. We consider an ultrasoft magnetically tipped nanocantilever cooled to millikelvin temperature. The thermal noise of the cantilever fundamental mode has been accurately estimated in the range $0.03-1$ K, and any other excess noise is found to be negligible within the experimental uncertainty. From the measured data and the cantilever geometry, we estimate the upper bound on the Continuous Spontaneous Localization (CSL) collapse rate in a wide range of the correlation length $r_C$. Our upper bound improves significantly previous constraints for $r_C>10^{-6}$ m, and partially excludes the enhanced collapse rate suggested by Adler. We discuss future improvements., Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures