Constraining the generalized uncertainty principle with cold atoms

Abstract

Various theories of quantum gravity predict the existence of a minimum length scale, which implies the Planck-scale modifications of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle to a so-called generalized uncertainty principle (GUP). Previous studies of the GUP focused on its implications for high-energy physics, cosmology, and astrophysics. Here, the application of the GUP to low-energy quantum systems, and particularly cold atoms, is studied. Results from the $^{87}$Rb atom recoil experiment are used to set upper bounds on parameters in three different GUP proposals. A $10^{14}$-level bound on the Ali-Das-Vagenas proposal is found, which is the second best bound so far. A $10^{26}$-level bound on Maggiore's proposal is obtained, which turns out to be the best available bound on it.