Inference of gravitational field superposition from quantum measurements

Journal Article · Sun Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Phys.Rev.D

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.108.084038· OSTI ID:2204658

Overstreet, Chris ^[1]; Curti, Joseph ^[1]; Kim, Minjeong ^[1]; Asenbaum, Peter ^[1]; Kasevich, Mark A. ^[1]; Giacomini, Flaminia ^[2]

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1. Stanford U., Phys. Dept.
2. Perimeter Inst. Theor. Phys.

Experiments are beginning to probe the interaction of quantum particles with gravitational fields beyond the uniform-field regime. In nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, the gravitational field in such experiments can be written as a superposition state. We empirically demonstrate that semiclassical theories of gravity can avoid gravitational superposition states only by decoupling the gravitational field energy from the quantum particle’s time evolution. Furthermore, such theories must specify a preferred quantum reference frame in which the equations of motion are valid. To the extent that these properties are theoretically implausible, recent experiments provide indirect evidence that gravity has quantum features. Proposed experiments with superposed gravitational sources would provide even stronger evidence that gravity is nonclassical.

• Research Organization: Perimeter Inst. Theor. Phys.; Stanford U., Phys. Dept.
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy; USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: 89243024CSC000002; AC02-07CH11359
• OSTI ID: 2204658
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 2202734
• Report Number(s): FERMILAB-PUB-22-434-SQMS-V; oai:inspirehep.net:2147152; arXiv:2209.02214
• Journal Information: Phys.Rev.D, Journal Name: Phys.Rev.D Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 108
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
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experimental studies of gravity
quantum entanglement
quantum gravity
quantum sensing