Enhancing Gravitational Interaction between Quantum Systems by a Massive Mediator

Understand

In 1957 Feynman suggested that the quantum/classical character of gravity may be assessed by testing the gravitational interaction due to source masses in superposition.

• However, in all proposed experimental realisations using matter-wave interferometry the extreme weakness of this interaction requires pure initial states with extreme squeezing to achieve measurable effects of non-classical interaction for reasonable experiment durations.
• In practice, the systems that can be prepared in such nonclassical states are limited to small masses, which in turn limits the strength of their interaction.
• Here we address this key challenge--the weakness of gravitational interaction--by using a massive body as an amplifying mediator of gravitational interaction between two test systems.