Quantum Spin Nudges Centimeter-Scale Diamond, Bridging Quantum and Classical Physics
Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have successfully used the quantum spin of electrons to move a centimeter-scale object, marking a significant leap in bridging quantum and classical physics. Published in Science Advances, the study details how a 128-milligram diamond containing nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers was levitated and displaced by 100 nanometers using laser-controlled spin forces. This achievement extends the scale of quantum mechanical influence eight to nine orders of magnitude beyond previous experiments, moving from nanometers to centimeters. While the observed motion was classical, the underlying force was purely quantum, providing a new platform to test whether gravity follows quantum rules and potentially enabling future macroscopic superposition experiments.
