In July 2023, Hebrew University and Stockholm University collaborated on a three-day long workshop titled “Simulating gravity in gedanken and table-top experiments” at Näsby Slott, Täby, just outside Stockholm. 20 participants joined, including seven participants from Hebrew University and attendees from Sweden, the USA and Australia.

 

Ambassador's Surprise Talk

As a last-minute surprise, Ziv Nevo Kulman, the Israeli ambassador to Sweden, joined the workshop and presented a plenary talk on the broader relationship between Israel and Sweden. He specifically highlighted ongoing collaborative efforts in innovative scientific research between the two nations. 

 

Israeli ambassador to Sweden, Ziv Nevo Kulman, added some 'weight' to the Stockholm workshop with his surprise attendance and plenary talk 

 

Quantum Gravity Experiments

The workshop delved into experiments simulating gravity and quantum gravity, focusing on ideas from Hebrew University's Dr. Rivka Bekenstein and Asst. Prof. Igor Pikovski from Fysikum, the Department of Physics at Stockholm University. Discussions centred on simulating non-linear aspects of gravity, exploring Newton-Poisson theory for non-linear quantum evolution, utilizing quantum metasurfaces for simulations, and investigating quantum Unruh accelerations involving superpositions of accelerations.

 

Amb. Ziv Nevo Kulman, Hebrew University's Dr. Rivka Bekenstein, and Asst. Prof. Igor Pikovski from Fysikum, Stockholm University with some of the workshop participants

 

Research Avenues and Collaborations

The workshop provided a unique platform to cultivate cutting-edge ideas in the intersection of quantum physics and gravity, offering direct relevance to upcoming experiments. It lays the foundation for ongoing investigations and potential joint applications for future funding opportunities.

 

Quantum Chuckles? The participants kept it 'light' in sunny Stockholm, while posing for a group photo