Optomechanical micro-macro entanglement. Part 2: Possible existence of optical communication channels in the brain

Centre for Nano science & Engineering - Seminar Speaker : Mr. Sourabh Kumar, PhD Student, Institute for Quantum Science and Technology (IQST), Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Canada. Venue : CeNSE Seminar hall Date & Time : 17th Jan 2017, Tuesday, 4:00 PM Coffee/Tea and snacks: After Part 1 of the talk. Title : " Part 1 : Optomechanical micro-macro entanglement. Part 2: Possible existence of optical communication channels in the brain" Abstract: (By the Author) Part 1 : Vigorous efforts are currently being undertaken to bring quantum effects such as superposition and entanglement to the macroscopic level. One prominent goal in this context is the creation of entanglement between a microscopic and a macroscopic system, following Schrödinger’s famous thought experiment that involved a decaying nucleus and a cat. A natural setting for testing these predictions is quantum optomechanics, where we study the interaction of light with mechanical devices at the quantum level. In our work [1], we propose to create and detect optomechanical entanglement by storing one component of an entangled state of light in a mechanical resonator, and then retrieving it. Using micro-macro entanglement of light as demonstrated experimentally, one can then create optomechanical entangled states where the components of the superposition are macroscopically different. We show that this method also makes it possible to create an optomechanical “cat state”, which is a superposition of macroscopic states. Based on an analysis of the relevant experimental imperfections, the scheme appears feasible with current technology. In this presentation, we give an overview of the most important innovations that support this development. In addition, we also review the modeling process and the process for building applications from models using the latest functionality. Finally, the presentation summarizes the latest functionality and planned functionality for future COMSOL versions. Part 2: The human brain is a dynamic physical system of unparalleled complexity. While neuroscience has made great strides, many fundamental questions are still unanswered, including the processes underlying memory formation, the working principle of anesthesia, and–most fundamentally–the generation of conscious experience. It therefore seems pertinent to explore whether the brain might generate, transmit and store information using other physical modalities than the ones that have been discovered so far. It is well established that neurons can emit photons, which prompts the question whether these biophotons between neurons, in addition to the well-known electro-chemical signals. For such communication to be targeted, the photons would need to travel in waveguides. Here we show, based on detailed theoretical modeling that myelinated axons could serve as photonic waveguides even in the presence of realistic optical imperfections [1]. We propose experiments, both in vivo and in vitro, to test our hypothesis. We discuss the implications of our results, including the question whether photons could mediate long-range quantum entanglement in the brain. Recent References: [1] Ghobadi, R., Kumar, S. Pepper, B., Bouwmeester, D., Lvovsky, A. I. & Simon, C. Optomechanical micro-macro entanglement. Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 080503 (2014). [2] Kumar, S., Boone, K., Tuszynski, J., Barclay, P. & Simon, C. Possible existence of optical communication channels in the brain. Sci. Rep. 6, 36508 (2016).