Next-generation quantum sensors could potentially detect gravitons, hypothetical particles that have long eluded physicists, for the first time. Gravitons are believed to carry the force of gravity in the same way that photons carry the electromagnetic force. However, their detection has been challenging due to their incredibly weak interactions with matter. Now, a new study led by Stockholm University suggests an experimental setup that could capture these elusive particles.
The proposed experiment involves cooling a large 1,800 kg bar of aluminum to near absolute zero and attaching it to continuous quantum sensors. When gravitational waves pass through the aluminum, they would cause minuscule vibrations detectable as discrete energy jumps, marking the presence of a single graviton. These signals could be cross-referenced with data from gravitational wave detectors like LIGO to confirm their authenticity.
Although the sensitive quantum sensors required for this experiment haven’t been developed yet, the researchers believe that advancing technology could soon make this a reality. This detection would provide significant insights into the nature of gravity and help integrate it better into the Standard Model of quantum physics.
This approach builds on early gravitational wave detection experiments from the 1960s and combines modern quantum sensing with the precision of contemporary detectors. If successful, this experiment could open up a new chapter in our understanding of gravity and the universe.
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