Centro de Ciencias de Benasque Pedro Pascual

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Gravity in the Quantum Lab

2018, Jul 29 -- Aug 10

Organizers:
I. Fuentes (Nottingham U.)
P. Bouyer (CNRS)
H. Ulbricht (Southampton U.)
D. Faccio (Glasgow U.)

The workshop Gravity in the Lab will gather leading scientists in theory and experiment who aim at studying gravitational effects in the laboratory using quantum systems.

The 20th century witnessed the birth of both quantum mechanics and relativity. However, the inability to unify the underlying concepts of these two theories remains one of the biggest unsolved problems in physics. New experimental opportunities that are quickly developing promise to provide deeper insights into the interface between gravity and quantum theory.

In a milestone moment in physics, gravitational waves have recently been discovered, opening up a new era in gravitational physics. Quantum optics is playing a central role in these experiments as well as other advanced studies on gravity. However, we are still lacking experiments that help us understand general relativity at very small lengths or large energies where quantum effects become relevant.

It has been suggested that table-top experiments may allow us to falsify low-energy consequences of quantum theories of gravity, and experiments are underway. Another important approach is the study of large quantum superposition states involving clocks or increasingly massive objects, where experiments promise to be within reach in the near future. Finally, space-based quantum experiments promise a new generation of experiments at the interface of these two fundamental theories.

Recently there has been fast progress in the measurement of gravitational parameters at smaller (laboratory) length scales using quantum systems such as cold neutrons and atoms. These include high-sensitivity measurements of the Newtonian constant; of the gravity field-gradient and –curvature; and of short-range gravitational forces. There have even been proposals to use these systems to measure gravitational waves and demonstrate quantum field theory in curved space-time. As well as having practical applications, these studies can also shed light on fundamental questions such as the role of the observer at the interface of quantum theory and general relativity, and whether gravity plays a part in the transition from quantum theory to classical physics.

The workshop will offer students and researchers lectures that will provide the basic techniques necessary to propose, develop and interpret experiments in the overlap of quantum theory and relativity. Leading scientists will present the latest updates in topics such as measurements of gravitational waves, quantum tests of the equivalence principle, quantum metrology for gravitational fields, analogue gravity, quantum clocks, and space-based quantum experiments.

Day sessions will include: Space-based quantum experiments. Analogue gravity. Bose-Einstein condensate/cold atoms and gravity. Small gravitational wave detectors. Observers in the overlap of quantum theory and relativity. Quantum and relativistic clocks. LIGO and squeezed states. Gravimeters, gradiometers and detection of dark energy/matter. Gravitational decoherence. Gravitational collapse models.

Registration fee information

The registration fee for this conference is:

Before Jul 08After Jul 08
Regular250 eur.300 eur.
Student150 eur.200 eur.

Pay by bank transfer

The registration fee must be paid to the account of the Centro de Ciencias de Benasque Pedro Pascual after your application has been accepted.

Ibercaja (account number): 2085 2310 3803 3004 4193
IBAN: ES44 2085 2310 3803 3004 4193
BIC: CAZRES2Z

Remember that your registration is complete only after the payment is made.

* Please, pay after your application has been accepted.
* Please, send a confirmation by e-mail to info@benasque.org.
* Please pay all bank charges
* Include as a subject in the transfer '2018gil Your_Surname'
* In the comments section include:
      Full name of the conference and your name.


Pay by credit card

Senior: Pay by credit card
Student: Pay by credit card

* You have to be registered.
* Please, pay after your application has been accepted.

*Cancellation Policy*
A 30 euro charge will be applied for cancellations made up to 10 days before the conference start date.
A no refund policy will be applied to cancellations made after this date.


Further Information.


This session has received financial support from the following institutions:

  • logo CSIC
  • Gobierno de Aragón
  • Ministerio de educación y ciencia
  • DPH
  • Universidad de Zaragoza
  • Ayuntamiento de Benasque

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