量子纠缠与宇宙学弗里德曼方程

量子纠缠作为量子信息理论中最核心的部分,代表量子态一种内在的特性,是微观物质的一种根本的性质,它是以非定域的形式存在于多子量子系统中的一种神奇的物理现象.熵也是量子信息理论的重要概念之一,纠缠熵作为量子信息的一个测度已经成为一种重要的理论工具,为物理学中的各类课题提供了新的研究方法.本文主要考虑量子纠缠的宇宙学应用,试图更好地从纠缠的角度来理解宇宙动力学.本文研究了量子信息理论的概念和宇宙学之间的深层联系,利用费米正则坐标和共形费米坐标构建了弗里德曼- 勒梅特-罗伯逊-沃尔克宇宙学弗里德曼方程和纠缠之间的联系.假设小测地球（a geodesic ball）的纠缠熵在给定体积下是最大的,可以从量子纠缠第一定律推导出弗里德曼方程.研究表明引力与量子纠缠之间存在着某种深刻的联系,这种联系对引力场方程的解是成立的.     

Can Quantum Gravity be Exposed in the Laboratory?

I propose an experiment that may be performed, with present low temperature and cryogenic technology, to reveal Wheeler’s quantum foam. It involves coupling an optical photon’s momentum to the center of mass motion of a macroscopic transparent block with parameters such that the latter is displaced in space by approximately a Planck length. I argue that such displacement is sensitive to quantum foam and will react back on the photon’s probability of transiting the block. This might allow determination of the precise scale at which quantum fluctuations of space–time become large, and so differentiate between the brane-world and the traditional scenarios of spacetime.     

Towards a theory of spacetime structure at very short distances

Renormalization-group arguments are summarized which suggest that at distances shorter than the Planck length the spacetime geometry should be asymptotically scale invariant. A new locally scale-invariant extension of general relativity is then proposed based on Weyl's conformally invariant geometry. It is shown that if the theory contains a Higgs phase, then it reduces to Einstein's theory in the limit of large distances. Finally, the theory incorporates the non-linear sigma model, which suggests a new approach to the calculation of non-perturbative, short-distance effects in quantum gravity.     

Can Spacetime be a Condensate?

We explore further the proposal [Hu, B. L. (1996). General relativity as geometro-hydrodynamics. (Invited talk at the Second Sakharov Conference, Moscow, May 1996); gr-qc/9607070.] that general relativity is the hydrodynamic limit of some fundamental theories of the microscopic structure of spacetime and matter, i.e., spacetime described by a differentiable manifold is an emergent entity and the metric or connection forms are collective variables valid only at the low-energy, long-wavelength limit of such micro-theories. In this view it is more relevant to find ways to deduce the microscopic ingredients of spacetime and matter from their macroscopic attributes than to find ways to quantize general relativity because it would only give us the equivalent of phonon physics, not the equivalents of atoms or quantum electrodynamics.It may turn out that spacetime is merely a representation of certain collective state of matter in some limiting regime of interactions, which is the view expressed by Sakharov [Sakharov, A. D. (1968). Soviet Physics-Doklady 12, 1040–1041; Sakharov, A. D. (1967). Vacuum quantum fluctuations in curved space and the theory of gravitation. Doklady Akad. Nauk S.S.R. 177, 70; Adler, S. L. (1982). Reviews of Modern Physics 54, 729]. In this talk, working within the conceptual framework of geometro-hydrodynamics, we suggest a new way to look at the nature of spacetime inspired by Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) physics. We ask the question whether spacetime could be a condensate, even without the knowledge of what the‘atom of spacetime’ is. We begin with a summary of the main themes for this new interpretation of cosmology and spacetime physics, and the ‘bottom-up’ approach to quantum gravity. We then describe the ‘Bosenova’ experiment of controlled collapse of a BEC and our cosmology-inspired interpretation of its results. We discuss the meaning of a condensate in different context. We explore how far this idea can sustain, its advantages and pitfalls, and its implications on the basic tenets of physics and existing programs of quantum gravity.     

Conventionalism and general relativity

We argue that the geometry of spacetime is a convention that can be freely chosen by the scientist; no experiment can ever determine this geometry of spacetime, only the behavior of matter in space and time. General relativity is then rewritten in terms of an arbitrary conventional geometry of spacetime in which particle trajectories are determined by forces in that geometry, and the forces determined by fields produced by sources in that geometry. As an example, we consider radial trajectories in the field of a single particle expressed in the spacetime of special relativity.     

CAUSAL DOMAIN OF MINKOWSKI-SPACETIME TANGENT BUNDLE

The geometry of the causal domain of the spacetime tangent bundle is examined for Finslerian quantum fields in Minkowski spacetime. The Planck-scale structure of the boundary of the causal domain is elaborated. The geometry indicates that at the Planck scale, causal connectivity of Finslerian quantum fields may occur between spacelike separated points, and also at larger scales for extremely large relative four-velocities.     

Quantum Non-Gravity and Stellar Collapse

Observational indications combined with analyses of analogue and emergent gravity in condensed matter systems support the possibility that there might be two distinct energy scales related to quantum gravity: the scale that sets the onset of quantum gravitational effects E_BE_{\rm B} (related to the Planck scale) and the much higher scale E_LE_{\rm L} signalling the breaking of Lorentz symmetry. We suggest a natural interpretation for these two scales: E_LE_{\rm L} is the energy scale below which a special relativistic spacetime emerges, E_BE_{\rm B} is the scale below which this spacetime geometry becomes curved. This implies that the first ‘quantum’ gravitational effect around E_BE_{\rm B} could simply be that gravity is progressively switched off, leaving an effective Minkowski quantum field theory up to much higher energies of the order of E_LE_{\rm L}. This scenario may have important consequences for gravitational collapse, inasmuch as it opens up new possibilities for the final state of stellar collapse other than an evaporating black hole.     

Being, Becoming and the Undivided Universe: A Dialogue Between Relational Blockworld and the Implicate Order Concerning the Unification of Relativity and Quantum Theory

In this paper two different approaches to unification will be compared, Relational Blockworld (RBW) and Hiley’s implicate order. Both approaches are monistic in that they attempt to derive matter and spacetime geometry ‘at once’ in an interdependent and background independent fashion from something underneath both quantum theory and relativity. Hiley’s monism resides in the implicate order via Clifford algebras and is based on process as fundamental while RBW’s monism resides in spacetimematter via path integrals over graphs whereby space, time and matter are co-constructed per a global constraint equation. RBW’s monism therefore resides in being (relational blockworld) while that of Hiley’s resides in becoming (elementary processes). Regarding the derivation of quantum theory and relativity, the promises and pitfalls of both approaches will be elaborated. Finally, special attention will be paid as to how Hiley’s process account might avoid the blockworld implications of relativity and the frozen time problem of canonical quantum gravity.     

Quantum field theory in curved spacetime,the operator product expansion,and dark energy

To make sense of quantum field theory in an arbitrary (globally hyperbolic) curved spacetime, the theory must be formulated in a local and covariant manner in terms of locally measurable field observables. Since a generic curved spacetime does not possess symmetries or a unique notion of a vacuum state, the theory also must be formulated in a manner that does not require symmetries or a preferred notion of a “vacuum state” and “particles”. We propose such a formulation of quantum field theory, wherein the operator product expansion (OPE) of the quantum fields is elevated to a fundamental status, and the quantum field theory is viewed as being defined by its OPE. Since the OPE coefficients may be better behaved than any quantities having to do with states, we suggest that it may be possible to perturbatively construct the OPE coefficients—and, thus, the quantum field theory. By contrast, ground/vacuum states—in spacetimes, such as Minkowski spacetime, where they may be defined—cannot vary analytically with the parameters of the theory. We argue that this implies that composite fields may acquire nonvanishing vacuum state expectation values due to nonperturbative effects. We speculate that this could account for the existence of a nonvanishing vacuum expectation value of the stress-energy tensor of a quantum field occurring at a scale much smaller than the natural scales of the theory. Fourth Award in the 2008 Essay Competition of the Gravity Research Foundation.     

Quantum Gravity If Non-Locality Is Fundamental

I take non-locality to be the Michelson–Morley experiment of the early 21st century, assume its universal validity, and try to derive its consequences. Spacetime, with its locality, cannot be fundamental, but must somehow be emergent from entangled coherent quantum variables and their behaviors. There are, then, two immediate consequences: (i). if we start with non-locality, we need not explain non-locality. We must instead explain an emergence of locality and spacetime. (ii). There can be no emergence of spacetime without matter. These propositions flatly contradict General Relativity, which is foundationally local, can be formulated without matter, and in which there is no “emergence” of spacetime. If these be true, then quantum gravity cannot be a minor alteration of General Relativity but must demand its deep reformulation. This will almost inevitably lead to: matter not only curves spacetime, but “creates” spacetime. We will see independent grounds for the assertion that matter both curves and creates spacetime that may invite a new union of quantum gravity and General Relativity. This quantum creation of spacetime consists of: (i) fully non-local entangled coherent quantum variables. (ii) The onset of locality via decoherence. (iii) A metric in Hilbert space among entangled quantum variables by the sub-additive von Neumann entropy between pairs of variables. (iv) Mapping from metric distances in Hilbert space to metric distances in classical spacetime by episodic actualization events. (v) Discrete spacetime is the relations among these discrete actualization events. (vi) “Now” is the shared moment of actualization of one among the entangled variables when the amplitudes of the remaining entangled variables change instantaneously. (vii) The discrete, successive, episodic, irreversible actualization events constitute a quantum arrow of time. (viii) The arrow of time history of these events is recorded in the very structure of the spacetime constructed. (ix) Actual Time is a succession of two or more actual events. The theory inevitably yields a UV cutoff of a new type. The cutoff is a phase transition between continuous spacetime before the transition and discontinuous spacetime beyond the phase transition. This quantum creation of spacetime modifies General Relativity and may account for Dark Energy, Dark Matter, and the possible elimination of the singularities of General Relativity. Relations to Causal Set Theory, faithful Lorentzian manifolds, and past and future light cones joined at “Actual Now” are discussed. Possible observational and experimental tests based on: (i). the existence of Sub- Planckian photons, (ii). knee and ankle discontinuities in the high-energy gamma ray spectrum, and (iii). possible experiments to detect a creation of spacetime in the Casimir system are discussed. A quantum actualization enhancement of repulsive Casimir effect would be anti-gravitational and of possible practical use. The ideas and concepts discussed here are not yet a theory, but at most the start of a framework that may be useful.     

Why there is something rather than nothing: cosmological constant from summing over everything in lorentzian quantum gravity

The density matrix of the Universe for the microcanonical ensemble in quantum cosmology describes an equipartition in the physical phase space of the theory (sum over everything), but in terms of the observable spacetime geometry this ensemble is peaked about the set of recently obtained cosmological instantons limited to a bounded range of the cosmological constant. This suggests the mechanism of constraining the landscape of string vacua and a possible solution to the dark energy problem in the form of the quasiequilibrium decay of the microcanonical state of the Universe.     

Has quantum nonlocality been experimentally verified?

Bell's theorem tells us that if we wish to preserve the results of quantum theory, then we cannot supplement the theory by any sort of locally determined hidden variables. The Aspect experiments tell us that the results of quantum theory, in certain relevant circumstances, are correct. Thus, some type of information about the result of an experiment must travel to other points of space. If we take a reasonable, simple, model of how a measurement actually produces a result, namely, the GRW collapse model, then the experiments that have so far been done, do not distinguish between instantaneous communication, which is required in the orthodox theory, and communication at the speed of light. We discuss how models which incorporate such communication might be constructed, and urge the need for experimental tests. Likely values of the relevant parameters suggest that these are possible. Finally, we note that, contrary to what is generally claimed, nonlocal collapse models which agree in all circumstances with quantum theory do permit instantaneous signals to be sent over arbitrarily large distances.Text of a talk given at the 1991 Cesena conference,Bell's Theorem and the Foundations of Modern Physics.     

The quantum structure of spacetime at the Planck scale and quantum fields

We propose uncertainty relations for the different coordinates of spacetime events, motivated by Heisenberg's principle and by Einstein's theory of classical gravity. A model of Quantum Spacetime is then discussed where the commutation relations exactly implement our uncertainty relations.We outline the definition of free fields and interactions over QST and take the first steps to adapting the usual perturbation theory. The quantum nature of the underlying spacetime replaces a local interaction by a specific nonlocal effective interaction in the ordinary Minkowski space. A detailed study of interacting QFT and of the smoothing of ultraviolet divergences is deferred to a subsequent paper.In the classical limit where the Planck length goes to zero, our Quantum Spacetime reduces to the ordinary Minkowski space times a two component space whose components are homeomorphic to the tangent bundleTS ² of the 2-sphere. The relations with Conne's theory of the standard model will be studied elsewhere.Research supported by MRST and CNR-GNAFA     

Origin of the blackhole information paradox

It is argued that the blackhole information paradox originates from treating the blackhole geometry as strictly classical. It is further argued that the theory of quantum fields in a classical curved space with a horizon is an ill posed problem. If the geometry is allowed to fluctuate quantum mechanically, then the horizon effectively disappears. The sharp horizon emerges only in the classical limit when the ratio of the Compton wavelength of the black hole to its Schwarzschild radius vanishes. The region of strong gravity that develops when matter collapses to form the blackhole remains visible to the whole of spacetime and has to be described by a microscopic theory of strong gravity. The arguments imply that the information paradox is demoted from a paradox involving fundamental principles of physics to the problem of describing how matter at the highest densities gravitates.     

Probing spacetime foam with extragalactic sources

Because of quantum fluctuations, spacetime is probably "foamy" on very small scales. We propose to detect this texture of spacetime foam by looking for halo structures in the images of distant quasars. We find that the Very Large Telescope interferometer will be on the verge of being able to probe the fabric of spacetime when it reaches its design performance. Our method also allows us to use spacetime foam physics and physics of computation to infer the existence of dark energy or matter, independent of the evidence from recent cosmological observations.     

Information,Quantum Mechanics,and Gravity

This is a basically expository article, with some new observations, tracing connections of the quantum potential to Fisher information, to Kähler geometry of the projective Hilbert space of a quantum system, and to the Weyl-Ricci scalar curvature of a Riemannian flat spacetime with quantum matter.Á Denise     

Dirac Field on Moyal-Minkowski Spacetime and Non-commutative Potential Scattering

The quantized free Dirac field is considered on Minkowski spacetime (of general dimension). The Dirac field is coupled to an external scalar potential whose support is finite in time and which acts by a Moyal-deformed multiplication with respect to the spatial variables. The Moyal-deformed multiplication corresponds to the product of the algebra of a Moyal plane described in the setting of spectral geometry. It will be explained how this leads to an interpretation of the Dirac field as a quantum field theory on Moyal-deformed Minkowski spacetime (with commutative time) in a setting of Lorentzian spectral geometries of which some basic aspects will be sketched. The scattering transformation will be shown to be unitarily implementable in the canonical vacuum representation of the Dirac field. Furthermore, it will be indicated how the functional derivatives of the ensuing unitary scattering operators with respect to the strength of the non-commutative potential induce, in the spirit of Bogoliubov’s formula, quantum field operators (corresponding to observables) depending on the elements of the non-commutative algebra of Moyal-Minkowski spacetime.     

A Spin-Statistics Theorem for Quantum Fields¶on Curved Spacetime Manifolds¶in a Generally Covariant Framework

A model-independent, locally generally covariant formulation of quantum field theory over four-dimensional, globally hyperbolic spacetimes will be given which generalizes similar, previous approaches. Here, a generally covariant quantum field theory is an assignment of quantum fields to globally hyperbolic spacetimes with spin-structure where each quantum field propagates on the spacetime to which it is assigned. Imposing very natural conditions such as local general covariance, existence of a causal dynamical law, fixed spinor- or tensor type for all quantum fields of the theory, and that the quantum field on Minkowski spacetime satisfies the usual conditions, it will be shown that a spin-statistics theorem holds: If for some of the spacetimes the corresponding quantum field obeys the “wrong” connection between spin and statistics, then all quantum fields of the theory, on each spacetime, are trivial. Received: 1 March 2001 / Accepted: 28 May 2001     

Quantum gravity,field theory and signatures of noncommutative spacetime

A pedagogical introduction to some of the main ideas and results of field theories on quantized spacetimes is presented, with emphasis on what such field theories may teach us about the problem of quantizing gravity. We examine to what extent noncommutative gauge theories may be regarded as gauge theories of gravity. UV/IR mixing is explained in detail and we describe its relations to renormalization, to gravitational dynamics, and to deformed dispersion relations in models of quantum spacetime of interest in string theory and in doubly special relativity. We also discuss some potential experimental probes of spacetime noncommutativity.     

Conceptual Unification of Gravity and Quanta

We present a model unifying general relativity and quantum mechanics. The model is based on the (noncommutative) algebra on the groupoid Γ=E×G where E is the total space of the frame bundle over spacetime, and G the Lorentz group. The differential geometry, based on derivations of , is constructed. The eigenvalue equation for the Einstein operator plays the role of the generalized Einstein’s equation. The algebra , when suitably represented in a bundle of Hilbert spaces, is a von Neumann algebra ℳ of random operators representing the quantum sector of the model. The Tomita–Takesaki theorem allows us to define the dynamics of random operators which depends on the state φ. The same state defines the noncommutative probability measure (in the sense of Voiculescu’s free probability theory). Moreover, the state φ satisfies the Kubo–Martin–Schwinger (KMS) condition, and can be interpreted as describing a generalized equilibrium state. By suitably averaging elements of the algebra , one recovers the standard geometry of spacetime. We show that any act of measurement, performed at a given spacetime point, makes the model to collapse to the standard quantum mechanics (on the group G). As an example we compute the noncommutative version of the closed Friedman world model. Generalized eigenvalues of the Einstein operator produce the correct components of the energy-momentum tensor. Dynamics of random operators does not “feel” singularities.