I introduce a modification of the Ghirardi-Rimini-Weber (GRW) model in which the flashes (or space-time collapse events) source a classical gravitational field. The resulting semiclassical theory of Newtonian gravity preserves the statistical interpretation of quantum states of matter in contrast with mean field approaches. It can be seen as a discrete version of recent proposals of consistent hybrid quantum classical theories. The model is in agreement with known experimental data and introduces new falsifiable predictions: (1) single particles do not self-interact, (2) the $1/r$ gravitational potential of Newtonian gravity is cut off at short ($\ensuremath{\lesssim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{m}$) distances, and (3) gravity makes spatial superpositions decohere at a rate inversely proportional to that coming from the vanilla GRW model. Together, the last two predictions make the model experimentally falsifiable for all values of its parameters.I introduce a modification of the Ghirardi-Rimini-Weber (GRW) model in which the flashes (or space-time collapse events) source a classical gravitational field. The resulting semiclassical theory of Newtonian gravity preserves the statistical interpretation of quantum states of matter in contrast with mean field approaches. It can be seen as a discrete version of recent proposals of consistent hybrid quantum classical theories. The model is in agreement with known experimental data and introduces new falsifiable predictions: (1) single particles do not self-interact, (2) the $1/r$ gravitational potential of Newtonian gravity is cut off at short ($\ensuremath{\lesssim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{m}$) distances, and (3) gravity makes spatial superpositions decohere at a rate inversely proportional to that coming from the vanilla GRW model. Together, the last two predictions make the model experimentally falsifiable for all values of its parameters.

arXiv:1709.03809Physical review. D/Physical review. D.Jan 23, 201820 citations

A geometrical quantum phase in Newtonian gravity

Vu B Ho, M.J. Morgan

Physics Letters ASep 1, 19972 citations

THE POINT PROCESSES OF THE GRW THEORY OF WAVE FUNCTION COLLAPSE

Roderich Tumulka

The Ghirardi–Rimini–Weber (GRW) theory is a physical theory that, when combined with a suitable ontology, provides an explanation of quantum mechanics. The so-called collapse of the wave function is problematic in conventional quantum theory but not in the GRW theory, in which it is governed by a stochastic law. A possible ontology is the flash ontology, according to which matter consists of random points in space-time, called flashes. The joint distribution of these points, a point process in space-time, is the topic of this work. The mathematical results concern mainly the existence and uniqueness of this distribution for several variants of the theory. Particular attention is paid to the relativistic version of the GRW theory that was developed in 2004.The Ghirardi–Rimini–Weber (GRW) theory is a physical theory that, when combined with a suitable ontology, provides an explanation of quantum mechanics. The so-called collapse of the wave function is problematic in conventional quantum theory but not in the GRW theory, in which it is governed by a stochastic law. A possible ontology is the flash ontology, according to which matter consists of random points in space-time, called flashes. The joint distribution of these points, a point process in space-time, is the topic of this work. The mathematical results concern mainly the existence and uniqueness of this distribution for several variants of the theory. Particular attention is paid to the relativistic version of the GRW theory that was developed in 2004.

arXiv:0711.0035Reviews in Mathematical PhysicsMar 1, 200955 citations

Gravity in quantum mechanics

Giovanni Amelino-camelia A

Nature PhysicsApr 1, 201411 citations

On the Common Structure of Bohmian Mechanics and the Ghirardi–Rimini–Weber Theory

Valia Allori, Sheldon Goldstein, Roderich Tumulka +1 more

Bohmian mechanics and the Ghirardi–Rimini–Weber theory provide opposite resolutions of the quantum measurement problem: the former postulates additional variables (the particle positions) besides the wave function, whereas the latter implements spontaneous collapses of the wave function by a nonlinear and stochastic modification of Schrödinger's equation. Still, both theories, when understood appropriately, share the following structure: They are ultimately not about wave functions but about ‘matter’ moving in space, represented by either particle trajectories, fields on space-time, or a discrete set of space-time points. The role of the wave function then is to govern the motion of the matter. 1. Introduction2. Bohmian Mechanics3. Ghirardi, Rimini, and Weber3.1. GRWm3.2. GRWf3.3. Empirical equivalence between GRWm and GRWf4. Primitive Ontology4.1. Primitive ontology and physical equivalence4.2. Primitive ontology and symmetry4.3. Without primitive ontology4.4. Primitive ontology and quantum state5. Differences between BM and GRW5.1. Primitive ontology and quadratic functionals5.2. Primitive ontology and equivariance6. A Plethora of Theories6.1. Particles, fields, and flashes6.2. Schrödinger wave functions and many-worlds7. The Flexible Wave Function7.1. GRWf without collapse7.2. Bohmian mechanics with collapse7.3. Empirical equivalence and equivariance8. What is a Quantum Theory without Observers?Bohmian mechanics and the Ghirardi–Rimini–Weber theory provide opposite resolutions of the quantum measurement problem: the former postulates additional variables (the particle positions) besides the wave function, whereas the latter implements spontaneous collapses of the wave function by a nonlinear and stochastic modification of Schrödinger's equation. Still, both theories, when understood appropriately, share the following structure: They are ultimately not about wave functions but about ‘matter’ moving in space, represented by either particle trajectories, fields on space-time, or a discrete set of space-time points. The role of the wave function then is to govern the motion of the matter. 1. Introduction2. Bohmian Mechanics3. Ghirardi, Rimini, and Weber3.1. GRWm3.2. GRWf3.3. Empirical equivalence between GRWm and GRWf4. Primitive Ontology4.1. Primitive ontology and physical equivalence4.2. Primitive ontology and symmetry4.3. Without primitive ontology4.4. Primitive ontology and quantum state5. Differences between BM and GRW5.1. Primitive ontology and quadratic functionals5.2. Primitive ontology and equivariance6. A Plethora of Theories6.1. Particles, fields, and flashes6.2. Schrödinger wave functions and many-worlds7. The Flexible Wave Function7.1. GRWf without collapse7.2. Bohmian mechanics with collapse7.3. Empirical equivalence and equivariance8. What is a Quantum Theory without Observers?

arXiv:quant-ph/0603027The British Journal for the Philosophy of ScienceJul 11, 2008211 citations

1/r

gravitational potential of Newtonian gravity is cut off at short ($\ensuremath{\lesssim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{m}$) distances, and (3) gravity makes spatial superpositions decohere at a rate inversely proportional to that coming from the vanilla GRW model. Together, the last two predictions make the model experimentally falsifiable for all values of its parameters.