Research Projects

Levitated Magnets for Quantum Metrology

Led by:  M. Sc. Alexander Heidt
E-Mail:  alexander.heidt@ita.uni-hannover.de
Year:  2022
Funding:  QuantERA Project of the EU (DFG)
Duration:  01.01.2022 - 31.12.2024
Further information https://www.lemaqume.org/

Levitating micromagnets have been proposed theoretically as building blocks for a range of hybrid quantum systems and as extremely low-noise sensors of torque, force, or magnetic field that can far outperform conventional quantum-limited devices in terms of energy resolution. This outstanding potential is supported by recent breakthrough experiments, but is far from being fully demonstrated. In this project, we aim at a systematic investigation of sensors based on levitated micromagnets. Different levitation platforms will be explored, such as superconducting traps based on the Meissner effect, on-chip circuits for magnetic traps, free-fall and Paul traps for charged micromagnets, and use coupling with different quantum systems or devices, such as diamond-nitrogen vacancies (NV) and SQUIDs. Primarily, the librational and rotational motion of the levitated magnets will be studied with a focus on detecting ultralow torques and magnetic fields, with the goal of demonstrating unprecedented energy resolution. In particular, the most sensitive region corresponding to the atom-like Larmor precession of a mesoscopic magnet, a special effect arising from the quantum nature of intrinsic spin, will be re-forged. To accomplish this, the microgravity of the Einstein-Elevator is used, where the Larmor precession of a freely falling magnet can be observed in the cleanest way imaginable.

 

further information
Project title: Levitated Magnets for Quantum Metrology
Acronym LEMAQUME

other participating institutes/partners

- Helmholtz-Institute Mainz (HIM),
- Leibniz Universität Hannover:
     Institute of quantum optics (IQ)
     Hannover Institute of Technology (HITec),
- Ecole Normale Supérieure (LPENS),
- Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie (IFN),
- Institute of Theoretical Physics in Ulm,
- Laboratory of Soft Magnetic Materials (MMML),
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU),
- University of Southampton  (UoS), California State University (CSU),
- Boston University (BU)

Project Manager Dr. Andrea Vinante
Prof. Dr. Dimitry Budker
Prof. Dr. Ernst Rasel

other participating researchers

Dr. Wei Ji, Dr. Andrea Vinante, Dr. Pavel Fadeev,
M. Sc. Changhao Xu,  Prof. Dr. Alexander O. Sushkov,
Prof. Dr. Derek  F.  Kimball, Dr. -Ing. Christoph Lotz,
M. Sc.  Alexander Heidt