Work

Constraining the generalized uncertainty principle with cold atoms

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: Various theories of quantum gravity predict the existence of a minimum length scale, which implies the Planck-scale modifications of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle to a so-called generalized uncertainty principle (GUP). Previous studies of the GUP focused on its implications for high-energy physics, cosmology, and astrophysics. Here the application of the GUP to low-energy quantum systems, and particularly cold atoms, is studied. Results from the $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atom recoil experiment are used to set upper bounds on parameters in three different GUP proposals. A ${10}^{14}$-level bound on the Ali-Das-Vagenas proposal is found, which is the second best bound so far. A ${10}^{26}$-level bound on Maggiore's proposal is obtained, which turns out to be the best available bound on it.

Source: Physical Review A

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.94.013607

Authors: Dongfeng Gao, Mingsheng Zhan

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics

Language: English

Topic: Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories

Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Awards: G2195757173, G7318871644