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Researchers have developed a method to measure gravity at the microscopic level, marking a significant advance in the understanding of quantum gravity. Credit: SciTechDaily.com
Physicists are successfully measuring gravity in the quantum world, detecting a weak gravitational pull on a tiny particle with a new technique that uses levitating magnets, bringing scientists closer to solving the mysteries of the universe.
Scientists are one step closer to unraveling the mysterious forces of the universe after discovering how to measure gravity at a microscopic level.
Experts have never fully understood how the force discovered by Isaac Newton works in the tiny quantum world.
Even Einstein was baffled by quantum gravity and, in his theory of general relativity, said that there is no realistic experiment that can show a quantum version of gravity.
A breakthrough in quantum gravity
However, physicists at the University of Southampton, in collaboration with scientists in Europe, have successfully detected a weak gravitational pull on a tiny particle using a new technique.
They claim it could pave the way to finding the elusive theory of quantum gravity.
The experiment, published in the Scientific advances Journal, used levitating magnets to detect gravity in microscopic particles, small enough to graze the quantum realm.
Artist’s impression of the quantum experiment. Credit: University of Southampton
Pioneering gravity research
Lead author Tim Fuchs, from the University of Southampton, said the results could help experts find the missing piece in our picture of reality.
He added: “For a century, scientists have tried, unsuccessfully, to understand how gravity and quantum mechanics work together.
“Now that we have successfully measured gravitational signals in the smallest mass ever recorded, it means we are one step closer to finally realizing how it works together.
“From here we will begin to reduce the source using this technique until we reach the quantum world on both sides.
“By understanding quantum gravity, we could solve some of the mysteries of our universe, such as how it began, what happens inside black holes, or bring all the forces together in one grand theory.”
Science does not yet fully understand the rules of the quantum realm, but particles and forces on a microscopic scale are thought to interact differently than normal-sized objects.
Academics from Southampton carried out the experiment with scientists from Leiden University in the Netherlands and the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnologies in Italy, with funding from the EU’s Horizon Europe EIC Pathfinder (QuCoM) grant.
Their study used a sophisticated setup involving superconducting devices, known as traps, with magnetic fields, sensitive detectors and advanced vibration isolation.
He measured a weak attraction, just 30 aN, on a small particle 0.43 mg in size by levitating it at subzero temperatures one hundredth of a degree above. Absolute zero – around -273 degrees Celsius.
Expanding the horizons of quantum research
The results open the door to future experiments between even smaller objects and forces, said physics professor Hendrik Ulbricht, also of the University of Southampton.
He added: “We are pushing the boundaries of science that could lead to new discoveries about gravity and the quantum world.
“Our new technique, which uses extremely cold temperatures and devices to isolate the particle’s vibration, will likely be the way forward for measuring quantum gravity.
“Unraveling these mysteries will help us unlock more secrets about the very structure of the universe, from the smallest particles to the grandest cosmic structures.”
Reference: “Measuring gravity with levitated masses in milligrams” by Tim M. Fuchs, Dennis G. Uitenbroek, Jaimy Plugge, Noud van Halteren, Jean-Paul van Soest, Andrea Vinante, Hendrik Ulbricht and Tjerk H. Oosterkamp, February 23, 2024, Scientific advances.
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk2949