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THU: Thursday Contributed Sessions
THU 10: Foundational / Mathematical Aspects – Methods and Approximations
THU 10.4: Talk
Thursday, September 11, 2025, 15:00–15:15, ZHG103
Quantum into the mesoscopic: progress in matter-wave interference of massive sodium nanoclusters. — •Bruno E. RamÃrez-Galindo1, 2, Sebastian Pedalino1, 2, Richard Ferstl1, 2, Klaus Hornberger3, Stefan Gerlich1, and Markus Arndt1 — 1University of Vienna, Faculty of Physics, Vienna, Austria — 2University of Vienna, Vienna Doctoral School in Physics, Vienna, Austria — 3University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Physics, Duisburg, Germany
The wave-particle duality has been a cornerstone in quantum theory since Louis de Broglie's foundational insight in the early 20th century. Yet, some fundamental questions remain unresolved: Is there a limit in mass, size, or complexity beyond which quantum behavior gives way to classical physics? And, is it possible to realize quantum superpositions of mesoscopic matter states that are classically considered mutually exclusive - analogous to Schrödinger's cat being both dead and alive? In this work, we discuss experimental advances addressing these questions through matter-wave interference of sodium nanoclusters with physical sizes approaching the mesoscopic scale. We report on the use of a near-field Talbot-Lau interferometer equipped with three UV photo-depletion gratings, where recent measurements suggest its potential for testing the linearity of quantum mechanics and for enabling quantum-assisted precision measurements in nanocluster science.
Keywords: Matter-wave interference; Nanoclusters; Superposition; Macroscopicity; Sodium