Microsc. Microanal. Microstruct. 4, 401-406 (1993)
DOI: 10.1051/mmm:0199300404040100

Can the observed vibration of a cantilever of supersmall mass be explained by quantum theory?

Alekber Yu. Kasumov, Nikolai A. Kislov et Igor I. Khodos

Institute of Microelectronics Technology and High Purity Materials, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142432, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russia

Abstract
An attempt has been made to test experimentally the consequences of the "alternative quantum theory" by electron microscopy technique. It has been found that the free end of a cantilever of 10-^15 - 10^-16 g in mass performs chaotic jumps of ≲ 100 A amplitude; the mean frequency of jumps of ~ 20 - 30 A amplitude is ~ 1 Hz. An increase in the mass of the object under observation up to (5 - 7).10^-15 g by growing the load on the free end of cantilever results in damping the vibrations for 5 - 10 days. It has been deduced that the obtained results confirm the macroscopic center-of-mass quantum fluctuations and spontaneous localization of the object, predicted by the theory.

PACS
4640 - Vibrations and mechanical waves.
0778 - Electron, positron, and ion microscopes; electron diffractometers.

Key words
Vibration -- Cantilever -- Quantum mechanics -- Measure theory -- Experimental test -- Transmission electron microscopy -- Vibration damping -- Quantum fluctuation -- Classical physics -- Quantum physics -- Physics


© EDP Sciences 1993