Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2302.00365 · Quantum

On tests of the quantum nature of gravitational interactions in presence of non-linear corrections to quantum mechanics

Giovanni Spaventa, Ludovico Lami, Martin Bodo Plenio

Published Oct 25, 2023• 5 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

When two particles interact primarily through gravity and follow the laws of quantum mechanics, the generation of entanglement is considered a hallmark of the quantum nature of the gravitational interaction. However, we demonstrate that entanglement dynamics can also occur in the presence of a weak quantum interaction and non-linear corrections to local quantum mechanics, even if the gravitational interaction is classical or absent at short distances. This highlights the importance of going beyond entanglement detection to conclusively test the quantum character of gravity, and it requires a thorough examination of the strength of other quantum forces and potential non-linear corrections to quantum mechanics in the realm of large masses.

DOI
10.22331/q-2023-10-25-1157

Related papers

A no-go theorem on the nature of the gravitational field beyond quantum theory

Thomas D. Galley, Flaminia Giacomini, John H. Selby

Recently, table-top experiments involving massive quantum systems have been proposed to test the interface of quantum theory and gravity. In particular, the crucial point of the debate is whether it is possible to conclude anything on the quantum nature of the gravitational field, provided that two quantum systems become entangled solely due to the gravitational interaction. Typically, this question has been addressed by assuming a specific physical theory to describe the gravitational interaction, but no systematic approach to characterise the set of possible gravitational theories which are compatible with the observation of entanglement has been proposed. Here, we remedy this by introducing the framework of Generalised Probabilistic Theories (GPTs) to the study of the nature of the gravitational field. This framework enables us to systematically study all theories compatible with the detection of entanglement generated via the gravitational interaction between two systems. We prove a no-go theorem stating that the following statements are incompatible: i) gravity is able to generate entanglement; ii) gravity mediates the interaction between the systems; iii) gravity is classical. We analyse the violation of each condition, in particular with respect to alternative non-linear models such as the Schrödinger-Newton equation and Collapse Models.

arXiv:2012.01441•Quantum•Aug 17, 2022•59 citations

Is Gravitational Entanglement Evidence for the Quantization of Spacetime?

M. Kemal Döner, André Großardt

Abstract Experiments witnessing the entanglement between two particles interacting only via the gravitational field have been proposed as a test whether gravity must be quantized. In the language of quantum information, a non-quantum gravitational force would be modeled by local operations with classical communication (LOCC), which cannot generate entanglement in an initially unentangled state. This idea is criticized as too constraining on possible alternatives to quantum gravity. We present a parametrized model for the gravitational interaction of quantum matter on a classical spacetime, inspired by the de Broglie–Bohm formulation of quantum mechanics, which results in entanglement and thereby provides an explicit counterexample to the claim that only a quantized gravitational field possesses this capability.

arXiv:2205.00939•Foundations of Physics•Sep 5, 2022•16 citations

Relativistic Gravity-Induced Entanglement via Frame Dragging

Eyuri Wakakuwa, Luciano Petruzziello, Trinidad B. Lantaño +2 more

Gravity-induced entanglement has been proposed as a method for testing the non-classical nature of gravity via tabletop experiments. While most existing proposals are restricted to the Newtonian limit, the frame dragging effect offers access to genuinely post-Newtonian features of the gravitational interaction and remains comparatively less explored. Here, we study gravity-induced entanglement generated by frame dragging in an interferometric setting and compute the entanglement phase between the rotational degrees of freedom of a source mass and the paths of a particle in two complementary ways: (i) via Schrödinger evolution with a quantized Lense-Thirring Hamiltonian in the large angular momentum limit, and (ii) via the on-shell action of linearized quantum gravity within the stationary phase approximation. Both approaches yield the same entanglement phase, consistent with the proper time difference between the interferometer arms. The path integral derivation further reveals how gravitational retardation modifies the entanglement phase, thereby making the local, relativistically causal linearized-gravity description explicit. Under the standard locality/mediator assumptions used in existing arguments, the resulting entanglement would witness non-classicality of the gravitational interaction.

quant-pharXiv:2606.31678•Jul 1, 2026

Gravity-induced entanglement is not a theory-independent witness of nonclassicality of the gravitational field

Andrea Di Biagio

Gravity-induced entanglement (GIE) experiments have been proposed as a theory-independent test of the quantum nature of gravity, on the strength of several no-go theorems concluding that GIE detection implies the gravitational interaction is either nonlocal or nonclassical. This is in apparent tension with a growing number of papers claiming that theories with a classical gravitational field do predict GIE. This article resolves the tension by reviewing the assumptions of the no-go theorems and highlighting the information-theoretic, rather than spatiotemporal, nature of the locality assumption. This makes violating locality not particularly problematic. Indeed, quantum electrodynamics and perturbative quantum gravity are nonlocal in the sense of the theorems. Thus, simple detection GIE is not sufficient to rule out a classical gravitational field and we will need quantitative comparison of theoretical predictions in the low-energy quantum gravity regime to test whether the gravitational field is quantum or classical.

gr-qcCross-listedarXiv:2511.02683•Nov 5, 2025

Can gravity mediate the transmission of quantum information?

Andrea Mari, Stefano Zippilli, David Vitali

We propose an experiment to test the non-classicality of the gravitational interaction. We consider two optomechanical systems that are perfectly isolated, except for a weak gravitational coupling. If a suitable resonance condition is satisfied, an optical signal can be transmitted from one system to the other over a narrow frequency band, a phenomenon that we call gravitationally induced transparency. In this framework, the challenging problem of testing the quantum nature of gravity is mapped to the easier task of determining the non-classicality of the gravitationally-induced optical channel: If the optical channel is not entanglement-breaking, then gravity must have a quantum nature. This approach is applicable without making any assumption on the, currently unknown, correct model of gravity in the quantum regime. In the second part of this work, we model gravity as a quadratic Hamiltonian interaction (e.g. a weak Newtonian force), resulting in a Gaussian thermal attenuator channel between the two systems. Depending on the strength of thermal noise, the system presents a sharp transition from an entanglement-breaking to a non-classical channel capable not only of entanglement preservation but also of asymptotically perfect quantum communication.

arXiv:2504.05998•Physical review. D/Physical review. D.•Dec 17, 2025•1 citation

Gravitationally-induced Conversion of Local Coherence to Entanglement

Hazhir Dolatkhah, Shahriar Salimi, Soroush Haseli

In recent years, the quantum nature of gravity has attracted significant attention as one of the most important problems in modern physics. Here, we analyze the mechanism of gravitationally-induced entanglement from the perspective of quantum resource theory. Building on the framework of Bose et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 240401 (2017)], we show that the gravitational interaction acts as a unitary channel, redistributing quantum resources between two spatially superposed masses. Specifically, we demonstrate that the resulting bipartite entanglement originates from the coherent conversion of local quantum coherence -- initially present in each subsystem -- into shared non-local correlations. We derive exact, analytical complementarity relations quantifying this conversion, link the decay of local coherence directly to the growth of entanglement, and support these findings with numerical simulations. Our results clarify the underlying mechanism and establish gravity as a coherence-to-entanglement conversion channel, offering a refined interpretive basis for forthcoming experimental tests. Crucially, we show that initial coherence is a necessary condition for entanglement generation and that its degree bounds the maximum achievable entanglement, with maximal entanglement requiring initial maximal coherence.

quant-pharXiv:2602.09900•Scientific Reports•Feb 11, 2026•0 citations
When two particles interact primarily through gravity and follow the laws of quantum mechanics, the generation of entanglement is considered a hallmark of the quantum nature of the gravitational interaction. However, we demonstrate that entanglement dynamics can also occur in the presence of a weak quantum interaction and non-linear corrections to local quantum mechanics, even if the gravitational interaction is classical or absent at short distances. This highlights the importance of going beyond entanglement detection to conclusively test the quantum character of gravity, and it requires a thorough examination of the strength of other quantum forces and potential non-linear corrections to quantum mechanics in the realm of large masses.
Recently, table-top experiments involving massive quantum systems have been proposed to test the interface of quantum theory and gravity. In particular, the crucial point of the debate is whether it is possible to conclude anything on the quantum nature of the gravitational field, provided that two quantum systems become entangled solely due to the gravitational interaction. Typically, this question has been addressed by assuming a specific physical theory to describe the gravitational interaction, but no systematic approach to characterise the set of possible gravitational theories which are compatible with the observation of entanglement has been proposed. Here, we remedy this by introducing the framework of Generalised Probabilistic Theories (GPTs) to the study of the nature of the gravitational field. This framework enables us to systematically study all theories compatible with the detection of entanglement generated via the gravitational interaction between two systems. We prove a no-go theorem stating that the following statements are incompatible: i) gravity is able to generate entanglement; ii) gravity mediates the interaction between the systems; iii) gravity is classical. We analyse the violation of each condition, in particular with respect to alternative non-linear models such as the Schrödinger-Newton equation and Collapse Models.
Abstract Experiments witnessing the entanglement between two particles interacting only via the gravitational field have been proposed as a test whether gravity must be quantized. In the language of quantum information, a non-quantum gravitational force would be modeled by local operations with classical communication (LOCC), which cannot generate entanglement in an initially unentangled state. This idea is criticized as too constraining on possible alternatives to quantum gravity. We present a parametrized model for the gravitational interaction of quantum matter on a classical spacetime, inspired by the de Broglie–Bohm formulation of quantum mechanics, which results in entanglement and thereby provides an explicit counterexample to the claim that only a quantized gravitational field possesses this capability.
Gravity-induced entanglement has been proposed as a method for testing the non-classical nature of gravity via tabletop experiments. While most existing proposals are restricted to the Newtonian limit, the frame dragging effect offers access to genuinely post-Newtonian features of the gravitational interaction and remains comparatively less explored. Here, we study gravity-induced entanglement generated by frame dragging in an interferometric setting and compute the entanglement phase between the rotational degrees of freedom of a source mass and the paths of a particle in two complementary ways: (i) via Schrödinger evolution with a quantized Lense-Thirring Hamiltonian in the large angular momentum limit, and (ii) via the on-shell action of linearized quantum gravity within the stationary phase approximation. Both approaches yield the same entanglement phase, consistent with the proper time difference between the interferometer arms. The path integral derivation further reveals how gravitational retardation modifies the entanglement phase, thereby making the local, relativistically causal linearized-gravity description explicit. Under the standard locality/mediator assumptions used in existing arguments, the resulting entanglement would witness non-classicality of the gravitational interaction.
Gravity-induced entanglement (GIE) experiments have been proposed as a theory-independent test of the quantum nature of gravity, on the strength of several no-go theorems concluding that GIE detection implies the gravitational interaction is either nonlocal or nonclassical. This is in apparent tension with a growing number of papers claiming that theories with a classical gravitational field do predict GIE. This article resolves the tension by reviewing the assumptions of the no-go theorems and highlighting the information-theoretic, rather than spatiotemporal, nature of the locality assumption. This makes violating locality not particularly problematic. Indeed, quantum electrodynamics and perturbative quantum gravity are nonlocal in the sense of the theorems. Thus, simple detection GIE is not sufficient to rule out a classical gravitational field and we will need quantitative comparison of theoretical predictions in the low-energy quantum gravity regime to test whether the gravitational field is quantum or classical.
We propose an experiment to test the non-classicality of the gravitational interaction. We consider two optomechanical systems that are perfectly isolated, except for a weak gravitational coupling. If a suitable resonance condition is satisfied, an optical signal can be transmitted from one system to the other over a narrow frequency band, a phenomenon that we call gravitationally induced transparency. In this framework, the challenging problem of testing the quantum nature of gravity is mapped to the easier task of determining the non-classicality of the gravitationally-induced optical channel: If the optical channel is not entanglement-breaking, then gravity must have a quantum nature. This approach is applicable without making any assumption on the, currently unknown, correct model of gravity in the quantum regime. In the second part of this work, we model gravity as a quadratic Hamiltonian interaction (e.g. a weak Newtonian force), resulting in a Gaussian thermal attenuator channel between the two systems. Depending on the strength of thermal noise, the system presents a sharp transition from an entanglement-breaking to a non-classical channel capable not only of entanglement preservation but also of asymptotically perfect quantum communication.
In recent years, the quantum nature of gravity has attracted significant attention as one of the most important problems in modern physics. Here, we analyze the mechanism of gravitationally-induced entanglement from the perspective of quantum resource theory. Building on the framework of Bose et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 240401 (2017)], we show that the gravitational interaction acts as a unitary channel, redistributing quantum resources between two spatially superposed masses. Specifically, we demonstrate that the resulting bipartite entanglement originates from the coherent conversion of local quantum coherence -- initially present in each subsystem -- into shared non-local correlations. We derive exact, analytical complementarity relations quantifying this conversion, link the decay of local coherence directly to the growth of entanglement, and support these findings with numerical simulations. Our results clarify the underlying mechanism and establish gravity as a coherence-to-entanglement conversion channel, offering a refined interpretive basis for forthcoming experimental tests. Crucially, we show that initial coherence is a necessary condition for entanglement generation and that its degree bounds the maximum achievable entanglement, with maximal entanglement requiring initial maximal coherence.