Pikovski Working With NASA to Seek Intersection of General Relativity and Quantum Physics
Stevens professor hoping to pave way for future revelatory experiments that could answer some of the biggest questions in modern physics
Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity has largely been confirmed through various experiments over a long period of time. In the simplest terms, Einstein’s theory suggests that space and time are changing from the presence of mass, which we perceive as gravity. However, it is still unknown how or if quantum physics affects our current understanding of general relativity and vice-versa.
Igor Pikovski, assistant professor in Stevens’ Department of Physics, is hoping to lay the groundwork to answering some of these questions in the future. Pikovski will soon begin a three-year, $669,308 project with NASA titled “Atomic Quantum Networks on Curved Space-Time.”
Physicists today have valuable tools built on quantum technologies – atomic clocks, for example. This project plans to explore how these quantum systems are affected by Einstein’s theory of relativity, showing what new phenomena may arise.
"Today, one of the most pressing questions is if our understanding of gravity also applies to the quantum realm," said Pikovski. "We are especially interested in the gravitational influence on distributed quantum networks in space that link atoms across vast distances. The goal is to show what new tests NASA could do in the future that can shed light on the interplay between gravity and quantum theory."
Lofty aspirations, simple process
This project will focus on networks of cold atoms – atoms possessing a temperature near absolute zero, at which their quantum properties become pivotal – and how to use them in space to simultaneously test the theories of gravity and quantum physics. Pikovski wants to see how these cold atoms can be interlinked in space through quantum entanglement – a phenomenon in which multiple particles become linked in such a way that they share the same fate even when separated by a vast physical distance.
Pikovski, who has made waves in the physics world recently based on his research into graviton detection, intends to design quantum tests on curved space-time using networks of atomic clocks in space. His aim is to show how quantum protocols with entangled cold atoms in space can test superpositions of proper time, which relies on both quantum and gravitational physics.
While the work could prove revolutionary, the execution of the research will happen at the most basic level with the most primitive tools.
"We are really trying to do very basic research in theoretical physics," said Pikovski. "We are exploring the conceptual roots of gravity, and of quantum theory, isolating what makes both tick. We will investigate the topic through calculations on the blackboard and in discussions over a lot of coffee. We plan to use a mathematical framework that I helped to develop, which allows one to make exact predictions for quantum systems such as atoms and photons, while taking the effects of gravity into account."
Long-term timeline with game-changing implications
While this project is tabbed for three years, the broader research agenda is closer to a decade, as this research aims to lay the foundation for further exploration of the topic. Pikovski will be aided by both a student and a postdoctoral assistant.
"Our goal is to show how new and unexplored aspects of Einstein’s theory and of quantum theory can be tested, and what possible surprises could await us," said Pikovski. "So, the successful outcomes will be blueprints and insights. They could then serve as additional research motivators for deploying quantum technology into space."
Going into the project, Pikovski expects the tests will confirm his team’s blackboard predictions. This would provide the first empirical evidence of how quantum theory and general relativity intersect. Confirmations could lead to new use cases for quantum technologies. On the other hand, results that stray from the expected outcome would indicate an incomplete understanding of quantum theory or gravity, or both.
"The true motivation is to simply better understand how quantum theory and gravity intertwine, because we still don’t have a clear understanding of it despite more than a century of research on this topic," said Pikovski.
Ideally, the work of Pikovski’s team over the coming years sheds additional light on the subject and leads to new space missions to test our current understanding of nature.