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:2303.06633 · Journal of Physics Conference Series

The case of Quantum Gravity with Spontaneous Collapse of the Wave Function

Lajos Diósi

Published Jun 1, 2023• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract When about half a century ago the concept of universal spontaneous collapse of the wave function was conceived it was an attempt to alter standard non-relativistic quantum physics. As such, it was largely ignored by relativistic field theory and quantum gravity communities. A central motivation of spontaneous collapse community has been to replace the standard collapse-by-measurement that annoyed many. With few exceptions, it did not annoy the field theory and quantum gravity communities. Concept of certain general-relativity-related universal irreversibility in quantum field theory had been initiated very long ago by Wheeler, Hawking and a few others independently from the concept of spontaneous collapse. Lately the two concepts started to converge and support each other.

DOI
10.1088/1742-6596/2533/1/012005

Related papers

The Schrödinger–Newton equation and its foundations

Mohammad Bahrami, André Großardt, Sandro Donadi +1 more

The necessity of quantising the gravitational field is still subject to an open debate. In this paper we compare the approach of quantum gravity, with that of a fundamentally semi-classical theory of gravity, in the weak-field non-relativistic limit. We show that, while in the former case the Schrödinger equation stays linear, in the latter case one ends up with the so-called Schrödinger-Newton equation, which involves a nonlinear, non-local gravitational contribution. We further discuss that the Schrödinger-Newton equation does not describe the collapse of the wave-function, although it was initially proposed for exactly this purpose. Together with the standard collapse postulate, fundamentally semi-classical gravity gives rise to superluminal signalling. A consistent fundamentally semi-classical theory of gravity can therefore only be achieved together with a suitable prescription of the wave-function collapse. We further discuss, how collapse models avoid such superluminal signalling and compare the nonlinearities appearing in these models with those in the Schrödinger-Newton equation.

arXiv:1407.4370•New Journal of Physics•Nov 7, 2014•217 citations

Does wave function collapse cause gravity?

Lajos Diósi

We give a twist to the assumption – discussed in various earlier works – that gravity plays a role in the collapse of the wave function. This time we discuss the contrary assumption that the collapse of the wave function plays a role in the emergence of the gravitational field. We start from the mathematical framework of a particular Newtonian gravitational collapse theory proposed by the author longtime ago, and we reconciliate it with the classical equivalence principle.

arXiv:0902.1464•Journal of Physics Conference Series•Jun 1, 2009•13 citations

Two Fundamental Misconceptions in the Search for a Quantum Theory of Gravity: Toward a Unified I-Field Account of Gravity and Collapse

Abderrahim Lyoubi-Idrissi

The programme of quantising gravity is widely regarded as inevitable, but it rests on two premises whose validity is less certain than commonly assumed. We argue that the completeness of quantum mechanics on all mass scales, and the fundamental geometric nature of spacetime curvature, are both open to doubt. Dropping them allows an alternative framework in which a single classical, fundamentally irreversible scalar field, the I-Field, is proposed to account simultaneously for the empirical success of general relativity and for the objective collapse of the wave function. This perspective aligns with recent developments in post-quantum gravity.

•Jul 4, 2026•0 citations

Quantum Measurement Problem and the Gravitational Field

J. Anandan

Abstract Department of Physics and Astronomy University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 20208, USA [AF] Two of the most important unsolved problems in theoretical physics are the problem of quantizing gravitation and the measurement problem in quantum theory. It is possible that the solution of each one needs the other. Since we have successful quantum theories of electroweak, and strong interactions, the solution to the problem of the collapse of the wave function, known as the measurement problem, may lie in the yet unknown quantum theory of the remaining interaction, namely quantum gravity. On the other hand, the numerous unsuccessful attempts to construct a quantum theory of gravity for more than six decades on the assumption that the present linear quantum theory is correct suggests that perhaps not only general relativity but also quantum theory should be modified in order to construct of satisfactory quantum theory of gravity.

•Apr 30, 1998•4 citations

Gravity-related wave function collapse: mass density resolution

Selected issues of the concept of spontaneous collapse are discussed, with the emphasis on the gravity-related model. We point out that without spontaneous collapses the Schrödinger cat states would macroscopically violate the standard conservation laws even in the presence of environmental noise. We prove that the collapse time of condensed matter c.o.m. superpositions is not sensitive to the natural uncertainty of the nuclear locations whereas we formulate the conjecture that superfluid He may show an anomalous low rate of spontaneous collapse compared to common condensed matter. 1.

•Aug 15, 2016•0 citations

Spontaneous Wave Function Collapse with Frame Dragging and Induced Gravity

Lajos Diósi

I impose the Newtonian criteria of inertial frames on the c.o.m.trajectories of massive objects undergoing spontaneous collapse of their wave function. The corresponding modification of the so far used stochastic Schrödinger equation eliminates the Brownian motion of the c.o.m., and restores the exact inertial motion for free masses. For the collapse of Schrödinger cat states the Born rule is satisfied invariably. The proposed machinery comes from the radical assumption that, in the vicinity of the spontaneously localized mass, the stochastic fluctuations of the c.o.m.—inevitable in the collapse process—would drag the physical inertial frame with themselves. The perspective of a general theory is presented where the spontaneous-collapse-caused breakdown of local energy-momentum conservation could be remedied by altering the metric, resulting in collapse-induced curvature of the space-time. My assumption of frame-drag by quantized masses is independent of the general relativistic frame-drag by classical masses.

arXiv:1910.00647•Quantum Reports•Dec 4, 2019•5 citations
Abstract When about half a century ago the concept of universal spontaneous collapse of the wave function was conceived it was an attempt to alter standard non-relativistic quantum physics. As such, it was largely ignored by relativistic field theory and quantum gravity communities. A central motivation of spontaneous collapse community has been to replace the standard collapse-by-measurement that annoyed many. With few exceptions, it did not annoy the field theory and quantum gravity communities. Concept of certain general-relativity-related universal irreversibility in quantum field theory had been initiated very long ago by Wheeler, Hawking and a few others independently from the concept of spontaneous collapse. Lately the two concepts started to converge and support each other.
The necessity of quantising the gravitational field is still subject to an open debate. In this paper we compare the approach of quantum gravity, with that of a fundamentally semi-classical theory of gravity, in the weak-field non-relativistic limit. We show that, while in the former case the Schrödinger equation stays linear, in the latter case one ends up with the so-called Schrödinger-Newton equation, which involves a nonlinear, non-local gravitational contribution. We further discuss that the Schrödinger-Newton equation does not describe the collapse of the wave-function, although it was initially proposed for exactly this purpose. Together with the standard collapse postulate, fundamentally semi-classical gravity gives rise to superluminal signalling. A consistent fundamentally semi-classical theory of gravity can therefore only be achieved together with a suitable prescription of the wave-function collapse. We further discuss, how collapse models avoid such superluminal signalling and compare the nonlinearities appearing in these models with those in the Schrödinger-Newton equation.
The programme of quantising gravity is widely regarded as inevitable, but it rests on two premises whose validity is less certain than commonly assumed. We argue that the completeness of quantum mechanics on all mass scales, and the fundamental geometric nature of spacetime curvature, are both open to doubt. Dropping them allows an alternative framework in which a single classical, fundamentally irreversible scalar field, the I-Field, is proposed to account simultaneously for the empirical success of general relativity and for the objective collapse of the wave function. This perspective aligns with recent developments in post-quantum gravity.
Abstract Department of Physics and Astronomy University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 20208, USA [AF] Two of the most important unsolved problems in theoretical physics are the problem of quantizing gravitation and the measurement problem in quantum theory. It is possible that the solution of each one needs the other. Since we have successful quantum theories of electroweak, and strong interactions, the solution to the problem of the collapse of the wave function, known as the measurement problem, may lie in the yet unknown quantum theory of the remaining interaction, namely quantum gravity. On the other hand, the numerous unsuccessful attempts to construct a quantum theory of gravity for more than six decades on the assumption that the present linear quantum theory is correct suggests that perhaps not only general relativity but also quantum theory should be modified in order to construct of satisfactory quantum theory of gravity.
Selected issues of the concept of spontaneous collapse are discussed, with the emphasis on the gravity-related model. We point out that without spontaneous collapses the Schrödinger cat states would macroscopically violate the standard conservation laws even in the presence of environmental noise. We prove that the collapse time of condensed matter c.o.m. superpositions is not sensitive to the natural uncertainty of the nuclear locations whereas we formulate the conjecture that superfluid He may show an anomalous low rate of spontaneous collapse compared to common condensed matter. 1.
I impose the Newtonian criteria of inertial frames on the c.o.m.trajectories of massive objects undergoing spontaneous collapse of their wave function. The corresponding modification of the so far used stochastic Schrödinger equation eliminates the Brownian motion of the c.o.m., and restores the exact inertial motion for free masses. For the collapse of Schrödinger cat states the Born rule is satisfied invariably. The proposed machinery comes from the radical assumption that, in the vicinity of the spontaneously localized mass, the stochastic fluctuations of the c.o.m.—inevitable in the collapse process—would drag the physical inertial frame with themselves. The perspective of a general theory is presented where the spontaneous-collapse-caused breakdown of local energy-momentum conservation could be remedied by altering the metric, resulting in collapse-induced curvature of the space-time. My assumption of frame-drag by quantized masses is independent of the general relativistic frame-drag by classical masses.