Spin Hall effect induced by a gravitational field

The experiment by Collela et al. (1975) [1] evidenced in a striking manner how the gravitational field appears in quantum mechanics. Within the modern framework of gauge theories, one can ascribe such effect as due to gauge fields originated from fundamental symmetries of spacetime: local transformations of the Lorentz-Poincaré group. When this gauge principle is applied to the Dirac equation, we obtain kinematical correlations between the gravitational field and the spin of the particles. The phenomenon is similar to the spin Hall effect found in condensed matter systems, although much smaller in magnitude. Actual measurements may require highly precision interferometric techniques with spin-polarized neutrons.     

Timeless Configuration Space and the Emergence of Classical Behavior

The inherent difficulty in talking about quantum decoherence in the context of quantum cosmology is that decoherence requires subsystems, and cosmology is the study of the whole Universe. Consistent histories gave a possible answer to this conundrum, by phrasing decoherence as loss of interference between alternative histories of closed systems. When one can apply Boolean logic to a set of histories, it is deemed ‘consistent’. However, the vast majority of the sets of histories that are merely consistent are blatantly nonclassical in other respects, and further constraints than just consistency need to be invoked. In this paper, I attempt to give an alternative answer to the issues faced by consistent histories, by exploring a timeless interpretation of quantum mechanics of closed systems. This is done solely in terms of path integrals in non-relativistic, timeless, configuration space. What prompts a fresh look at such foundational problems in this context is the advent of multiple gravitational models in which Lorentz symmetry is not fundamental, but only emergent. And what allows this approach to overcome previous barriers to a timeless, conditional probabilities interpretation of quantum mechanics is the new notion of records—made possible by an inherent asymmetry of configuration space. I outline and explore consequences of this approach for foundational issues of quantum mechanics, such as the natural emergence of the Born rule, conservation of probabilities, and the Sleeping Beauty paradox.     

Operational definition of (brane-induced) space–time and constraints on the fundamental parameters

First we contemplate the operational definition of space–time in four dimensions in light of basic principles of quantum mechanics and general relativity and consider some of its phenomenological consequences. The quantum gravitational fluctuations of the background metric that comes through the operational definition of space–time are controlled by the Planck scale and are therefore strongly suppressed. Then we extend our analysis to the braneworld setup with low fundamental scale of gravity. It is observed that in this case the quantum gravitational fluctuations on the brane may become unacceptably large. The magnification of fluctuations is not linked directly to the low quantum gravity scale but rather to the higher-dimensional modification of Newton's inverse square law at relatively large distances. For models with compact extra dimensions the shape modulus of extra space can be used as a most natural and safe stabilization mechanism against these fluctuations.     

Equivalence Postulate and Quantum Origin of Gravitation

We suggest that quantum mechanics and gravity are intimately related. In particular, we investigate the quantum Hamilton–Jacobi equation in the case of two free particles and show that the quantum potential, which is attractive, may generate the gravitational potential. The investigation, related to the formulation of quantum mechanics based on the equivalence postulate, is based on the analysis of the reduced action. A consequence of this approach is that the quantum potential is always non-trivial even in the case of the free particle. It plays the role of intrinsic energy and may in fact be at the origin of fundamental interactions. We pursue this idea, by making a preliminary investigation of whether there exists a set of solutions for which the quantum potential can be expressed with a gravitational potential leading term which alone would remain in the limit 0. A number of questions are raised for further investigation.     

On the interaction of mesoscopic quantum systems with gravity

We review the different aspects of the interaction of mesoscopic quantum systems with gravitational fields. We first discuss briefly the foundations of general relativity and quantum mechanics. Then, we consider the non‐relativistic expansions of the Klein‐Gordon and Dirac equations in the post‐Newtonian approximation. After a short overview of classical gravitational waves, we discuss two proposed interaction mechanisms: (i) the use of quantum fluids as generator and/or detector of gravitational waves in the laboratory, and (ii) the inclusion of gravitomagnetic fields in the study of the properties of rotating superconductors. The foundations of the proposed experiments are explained and evaluated.     

Direct characterization of quantum dynamics

The characterization of quantum dynamics is a fundamental and central task in quantum mechanics. This task is typically addressed by quantum process tomography (QPT). Here we present an alternative "direct characterization of quantum dynamics" (DCQD) algorithm. In contrast to all known QPT methods, this algorithm relies on error-detection techniques and does not require any quantum state tomography. We illustrate that, by construction, the DCQD algorithm can be applied to the task of obtaining partial information about quantum dynamics. Furthermore, we argue that the DCQD algorithm is experimentally implementable in a variety of prominent quantum-information processing systems, and show how it can be realized in photonic systems with present day technology.     

Quantum mechanics of electromagnetically bounded spin-1/2 particles in an expanding universe: I. Influence of the expansion

The quantum mechanically described electron in an external electromagnetic field, both embedded in an expanding universe with shear, is discussed. This is important for the fundamental question if a quantum mechanically treated atomic clock in curved space-time (based on a hydrogen atom) shows proper or gravitational time. Furthermore, contradictory results reported by other authors seem to imply that quantum mechanics cannot be reconciled with curved space-time. It is shown that this is not the case for expanding Robertson-Walker universes. As basis, in this paper a Hilbert space formulation of the problem with special regard to the Hamiltonian is given. The respective influence of the cosmic expansion and the intrinsic and extrinsic curvatures of the cosmic hypersurfaces on bound quantum mechanical systems is treated in general. For the special case of an expanding 3-flat (=0) Robertson-Walker universe it is shown that the energy levels of a hydrogen atom agree completely with the one in 4-flat space-time, so that in this case the hydrogen atom can be taken as atomic clock showing proper time.     

Gravitational coupling,dynamical changes of units and the cosmological constant problem

A spacetime interval connecting two neighbouring points can be measured in different unit systems.For instance,it can be measured in atomic unit defined in terms of fundamental constants existing in quantum theories.It is also possible to use a gravitational unit which is defined by the use of properties of macroscopic objects.These two unit systems are usually regarded as indistinguishable up to a constant conversion factor.Here we consider the possibility that these two units are related by an epoch-dependent conversion factor.This is a dynamical changes of units.Regarding a conformal transformation as a local unit transformation,we use a gravitational model in which the gravitational and the matter sectors are given in different conformal frames(or unit systems).It is relevant to the cosmological constant problem,namely the huge discrepancy between the estimated and the observational values of the cosmological constant in particle physics and cosmology,respectively.We argue that the problem arises when one ignores evolution of the conversion factor relating the two units during expansion of the Universe.Connection of the model with violation of equivalence principle and possible variation of fundamental constants are also discussed.     

Mechanical systems in the quantum regime

Mechanical systems are ideal candidates for studying quantum behavior of macroscopic objects. To this end, a mechanical resonator has to be cooled to its ground state and its position has to be measured with great accuracy. Currently, various routes to reach these goals are being explored. In this review, we discuss different techniques for sensitive position detection and we give an overview of the cooling techniques that are being employed. The latter includes sideband cooling and active feedback cooling. The basic concepts that are important when measuring on mechanical systems with high accuracy and/or at very low temperatures, such as thermal and quantum noise, linear response theory, and backaction, are explained. From this, the quantum limit on linear position detection is obtained and the sensitivities that have been achieved in recent opto- and nanoelectromechanical experiments are compared to this limit. The mechanical resonators that are used in the experiments range from meter-sized gravitational wave detectors to nanomechanical systems that can only be read out using mesoscopic devices such as single-electron transistors or superconducting quantum interference devices. A special class of nanomechanical systems is bottom-up fabricated carbon-based devices, which have very high frequencies and yet a large zero-point motion, making them ideal for reaching the quantum regime. The mechanics of some of the different mechanical systems at the nanoscale is studied. We conclude this review with an outlook of how state-of-the-art mechanical resonators can be improved to study quantum mechanics.     

On the equivalence principle in quantum theory

The role of the equivalence principle in the context of non-relativistic quantum mechanics and matter wave interferometry, especially atom beam interferometry, will be discussed. A generalised form of the weak equivalence principle which is capable of covering quantum phenomena too, will be proposed. It is shown that this generalised equivalence principle is valid for matter wave interferometry and for the dynamics of expectation values. In addition, the use of this equivalence principle makes it possible to determine the structure of the interaction of quantum systems with gravitational and inertial fields. It is also shown that the path of the mean value of the position operator in the case of gravitational interaction does fulfill this generalised equivalence principle.     

Unified Theory of Fundamental Interactions

Based on local gauge invariance, four different kinds of fundamental interactions in nature are unified in a theory which has SU(3)C( )SU SU(2)L( )U(1)( )s Gravitational Gauge Group gauge symmetry. In this approach,gravitational field, like electromagnetic field, intermediate gauge field, and gluon field, is represented by gauge potential.Four kinds of fundamental interactions are formulated in the similar manner, and therefore can be unified in a direct or semi-direct product group. The model discussed in this paper is a renormalizable quantum model and can be regarded as an extension of the standard model to gravitational interactions, so it can be used to study quantum effects of gravitational interactions.     

Repulsive gravitational effect of a quantum wave packet and experimental scheme with superfluid helium

We consider the gravitational effect of quantum wave packets when quantum mechanics, gravity, and thermodynamics are simultaneously considered. Under the assumption of a thermodynamic origin of gravity, we propose a general equation to describe the gravitational effect of quantum wave packets. In the classical limit, this equation agrees with Newton’s law of gravitation. For quantum wave packets, however, it predicts a repulsive gravitational effect. We propose an experimental scheme using superfluid helium to test this repulsive gravitational effect. Our studies show that, with present technology such as superconducting gravimetry and cold atom interferometry, tests of the repulsive gravitational effect for superfluid helium are within experimental reach.     

On the reality of spin and helicity

The possibilities of a realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics are investigated by means of a statistical analysis of experiments performed on the simplest type of quantum systems carrying spin or helicity. To this end, fundamental experiments, some new, for measuring polarization are reviewed and (re)analyzed. Theunsharp reality of spin is essential in the interpretation of some of these experiments and represents a natural motivation for recent generalizations of quantum mechanics to a theory incorporating effect-valued measures as unsharp observables and generalized systems of imprimitivity.     

Comprehensive solution to the cosmological constant,zero-point energy,and quantum gravity problems

We present a solution to the cosmological constant, the zero-point energy, and the quantum gravity problems within a single comprehensive framework. We show that in quantum theories of gravity in which the zero-point energy density of the gravitational field is well-defined, the cosmological constant and zero-point energy problems solve each other by mutual cancellation between the cosmological constant and the matter and gravitational field zero-point energy densities. Because of this cancellation, regulation of the matter field zero-point energy density is not needed, and thus does not cause any trace anomaly to arise. We exhibit our results in two theories of gravity that are well-defined quantum-mechanically. Both of these theories are locally conformal invariant, quantum Einstein gravity in two dimensions and Weyl-tensor-based quantum conformal gravity in four dimensions (a fourth-order derivative quantum theory of the type that Bender and Mannheim have recently shown to be ghost-free and unitary). Central to our approach is the requirement that any and all departures of the geometry from Minkowski are to be brought about by quantum mechanics alone. Consequently, there have to be no fundamental classical fields, and all mass scales have to be generated by dynamical condensates. In such a situation the trace of the matter field energy-momentum tensor is zero, a constraint that obliges its cosmological constant and zero-point contributions to cancel each other identically, no matter how large they might be. In our approach quantization of the gravitational field is caused by its coupling to quantized matter fields, with the gravitational field not needing any independent quantization of its own. With there being no a priori classical curvature, one does not have to make it compatible with quantization.     

Foundations of the quantum statistics of systems in equilibrium: A measuretheoretic approach

The fundamental equations of equilibrium quantum statistical mechanics are derived in the context of a measure-theoretic approach to the quantum mechanical ergodic problem. The method employed is an extension, to quantum mechanical systems, of the techniques developed by R. M. Lewis for establishing the foundations of classical statistical mechanics. The existence of a complete set of commuting observables is assumed, but no reference is made a priori to probability or statistical ensembles. Expressions for infinite-time averages in the microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles are developed which reduce to conventional quantum statistical mechanics for systems in equilibrium when the total energy is the only conserved quantity. No attempt is made to extend the formalism at this time to deal with the difficult problem of the approach to equilibrium.     

Gravitational Gauge Interactions of Dirac Field

Gravitational interactions of Dirac field are studied in this paper. Based on gauge principle, quantum gauge theory of gravity, which is perturbatively renormalizable, is formulated in the Minkowski space-time. In quantum gauge theory of gravity, gravity is treated as a kind of fundamental interactions, which is transmitted by gravitational gauge field, and Dirac field couples to gravitational field through gravitational gauge covariant derivative. Based on this theory, we can easily explain gravitational phase effect, which has already been detected by COW experiment.     

Quantum Space-Time: A Review

The review presents systematically the results of studies which develop an idea of quantum properties of space-time in the microworld or near exotic objects (black holes, magnetic monopoles and others). On the basis of this idea motion equations of nonrelativistic and relativistic particles are studied. It is shown that introducing concept of quantum space-time at small distances (or near superdense matter) leads to an additional force giving rise to appearance of spiral-like behaviour of a particle along its classical trajectory. Given method is generalized to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics and to motion of a particle in gravitational force. In the latter case, there appears to be an antigravitational effect in the motion of a particle leading to different value of free-fall time (at least for gravitational force of exotic objects) for particles with different masses. Gravitational consequences of quantum space-time and tensor structures of physical quantities are inveatigated in detail. From experimental data on testing relativity and anisotropy of inertia estimation L ≦ 10⁻²² cm on the value of the fundamental length is obtained.