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Testing spontaneous wave-function collapse models on classical mechanical oscillators.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Spontaneous wave-function collapse models cause a measurable temperature increase in mechanical oscillators. This heating effect is independent of mass and can be tested using classical oscillators and tomography.

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Area of Science:

  • Quantum mechanics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Experimental physics

Background:

  • Spontaneous wave-function collapse models propose mechanisms for quantum-to-classical transitions.
  • These models predict unique physical effects that may be experimentally detectable.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the thermal effects of spontaneous wave-function collapse on mechanical oscillators.
  • To determine the characteristics of this predicted heating effect and its dependence on oscillator parameters.
  • To assess the feasibility of experimentally testing these models using current technology.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of spontaneous wave-function collapse models applied to mechanical oscillators.
  • Derivation of the temperature increment (ΔT(sp)) formula.
  • Evaluation of the effect's dependence on relaxation time (τ), mass, frequency, and quality factor.
  • Comparison with existing experimental capabilities for classical oscillators.

Main Results:

  • Spontaneous wave-function collapse models predict a significant equilibrium temperature increment (ΔT(sp)) in mechanical oscillators.
  • The temperature increment ΔT(sp) is linear with the oscillator's relaxation time (τ) and independent of its mass.
  • The effect is classical for a broad range of frequencies and quality factors, and does not require quantum state monitoring, only tomography.
  • Existing experiments on classical oscillators can challenge the strong-effect edge of parameter ranges for both gravity-related and continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) models.
  • Current experiments on ultra-slow ring-down oscillators already constrain the highest collapse rate parameter values in CSL theory.

Conclusions:

  • The heating effect from spontaneous wave-function collapse is experimentally significant and theoretically characterized.
  • The proposed tests are feasible with existing experimental setups for classical oscillators.
  • These findings provide a pathway to experimentally constrain or falsify spontaneous wave-function collapse models.