The Fattest Schrödinger's Cat: Scientists Discover Quantum Superposition in a Large Clump of Metal

Imagine a world where the laws of physics break down at the smallest scales, and the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur.

TL;DR
• Scientists discovered quantum superposition in a large clump of metal, challenging our understanding of the quantum world.
• The experiment used the MUlti-Scale CLuster Interference Experiment (MUSCLE) to measure the behavior of sodium atom clusters.
• The findings have implications for our understanding of the quantum world and the discovery of new materials with quantum properties.

Summary
Scientists have long sought to determine the maximum size of a quantum particle that can exhibit superposition, a fundamental property of quantum mechanics. A recent experiment using matter-wave interferometry found that a cluster of 7,000 sodium atoms, measuring eight nanometers in size, displayed superposition, making it the largest object to do so.

The study, led by physicists at the University of Vienna, involved creating clusters of sodium atoms ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 atoms in size. The researchers used the MUlti-Scale CLuster Interference Experiment (MUSCLE) interferometer to send the sodium clusters through three diffraction gratings composed of ultraviolet laser beams. By measuring the interference patterns produced, the team confirmed that the large nanoparticle maintained quantum superposition.

Key findings include:
• The particle's size is comparable to that of modern transistors.
• The experiment achieved a macroscopicity of μ = 15.5, ten times higher than previous similar experiments.
• The results suggest that quantum mechanics is valid even at larger scales, contradicting the expectation that such a large lump of metal would behave like a classical particle.

Understanding quantum superposition at larger scales could lead to advancements in nanotechnology and the discovery of even larger nanoparticles with quantum properties.

As we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, we may uncover even more surprising phenomena that challenge our understanding of the world.