Pinhole interference in 3D fuzzy space
Date:
Slides: Zenodo / local, Recording: Syracuse University
Seminar as part of the online “Room 316” series hosted by Prof. A. P. Balachandran of Syracuse University. The seminar broadly discusses the results of my Master’s thesis.
Overview
The talk focusses on the structure of space at short length scales, and possible ways that this can be tested.
We introduce the fuzzy-sphere formalism for quantum mechanics in 3D non-commutative space, then discuss a two-pinhole interference setup in this formalism. We show that quantum interference is suppressed for macroscopic objects, so that a quantum-to-classical transition occurs, and we explain the mechanism behind this transition.
Finally, we make contact with existing and future experimental implementations, thereby providing falsifiable predictions for the short length scale structure of space.
Related references
The results shown in this talk are discussed at greater length in my Master’s thesis, and were also published in the form of a paper in the Annals of Physics.
I presented a very similar talk, albeit slightly more preliminary, on 24 November 2022 at the Stellenbosch University Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Conference.