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arXiv:2406.04463 · Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

Revisiting astrophysical bounds on continuous spontaneous localization models

Martin Miguel Ocampo, M. M. Miller Bertolami, Gabriel León

Published Oct 1, 2024• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract Among the open problems in fundamental physics, few are as conceptually significant as the “measurement problem” in Quantum Mechanics. One of the proposed solutions to this problem is the Continuous Spontaneous Localization (CSL) model, which introduces a non-linear and stochastic modification of the Schrödinger equation. This model incorporates two parameters that can be subjected to experimental constraints. One of the most notable consequences of this theory is the spontaneous heating of massive objects; this anomalous heating is dependent on the CSL parameters. In this work, we will revisit some astrophysical bounds previously found, and introduce new methods for testing the spontaneous heating in a variety of compact objects. Finally, we will compare our different bounds and discuss the benefits and shortcomings of each one.

DOI
10.1088/1475-7516/2024/10/018

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Effects of dynamical collapse theory on trapped ultra-cold atoms

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{The Continuous Spontaneous Localization (CSL) theory alters the Schrodinger equation. It describes wave function collapse as a dynamical process instead of an ill-defined postulate, thereby providing macroscopic uniqueness and solving the so-called measurement problem of standard quantum theory. CSL contains a parameter $\lambda$ giving the collapse rate of an isolated nucleon in a superposition of two spatially separated states and, more generally, characterizing the collapse time for any physical situation. CSL is experimentally testable, since it predicts some behavior different from that predicted by standard quantum theory. One example is the narrowing of wave functions, which results in energy imparted to particles. Here we consider energy given to trapped ultra-cold atoms. Since these are the coldest samples under experimental investigation, it is worth inquiring how they are affected by the CSL heating mechanism. We examine the CSL heating of a BEC in contact with its thermal cloud. Of course, other mechanisms also provide heat and also particle loss. From varied data on optically trapped cesium BEC's, we present an energy audit for known heating and loss mechanisms. The result provides an upper limit on CSL heating and thereby an upper limit on the parameter $\lambda$. We obtain $\lambda\lesssim 1(\pm1)\times 10^{-7}$sec$^{-1}$.}

•Sep 18, 2014•0 citations
Abstract Among the open problems in fundamental physics, few are as conceptually significant as the “measurement problem” in Quantum Mechanics. One of the proposed solutions to this problem is the Continuous Spontaneous Localization (CSL) model, which introduces a non-linear and stochastic modification of the Schrödinger equation. This model incorporates two parameters that can be subjected to experimental constraints. One of the most notable consequences of this theory is the spontaneous heating of massive objects; this anomalous heating is dependent on the CSL parameters. In this work, we will revisit some astrophysical bounds previously found, and introduce new methods for testing the spontaneous heating in a variety of compact objects. Finally, we will compare our different bounds and discuss the benefits and shortcomings of each one.
Collapse models describe phenomenologically the quantum-to-classical transition by adding suitable nonlinear and stochastic terms to the Schr\"odinger equation, thus (slightly) modifying the dynamics of quantum systems. Experimental bounds on the collapse parameters have been derived from various experiments involving a plethora of different systems, from single atoms to gravitational wave detectors. Here, we give a comprehensive treatment of the continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) model, the most studied among collapse models, for Fermi liquids. We consider both the white and non-white noise case. Application to various astrophysical sources is presented.
Models of dynamical wave function collapse consistently describe the breakdown of the quantum superposition with the growing mass of the system by introducing non-linear and stochastic modifications to the standard Schrödinger dynamics. Among them, Continuous Spontaneous Localization (CSL) was extensively investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Measurable consequences of the collapse phenomenon depend on different combinations of the phenomenological parameters of the model-the strength λ and the correlation length rC-and have led, so far, to the exclusion of regions of the admissible (λ-rC) parameters space. We developed a novel approach to disentangle the λ and rC probability density functions, which discloses a more profound statistical insight.
Spontaneous wave-function collapse models, like continuous spontaneous localization, are designed to suppress macroscopic superpositions while preserving microscopic quantum phenomena. An observable consequence of collapse models is spontaneous heating of massive objects. We calculate the collapse-induced heating rate of astrophysical objects, and the corresponding equilibrium temperature. We apply these results to neutron stars, the densest phase of baryonic matter in the Universe. Stronger collapse model parameters imply greater heating, allowing us to derive competitive bounds on model parameters using neutron star observational data, and to propose speculative bounds based on the capabilities of current and future astronomical surveys.
Continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) is a model that captures the effects of a class of extensions to quantum theory which are expected to result from quantum gravity and is such that wave-function collapse is a physical process. The rate of such a process could be very much lower than the upper bounds set by searches to date and yet still modify greatly the interpretation of quantum mechanics and solve the quantum measurement problem. Consequently experiments are sought to explore this. We describe an experiment that has the potential to extend sensitivity to CSL by many orders of magnitude. The method is to detect heating of the motion of charged macroscopic objects confined in a Paul trap. We discuss the detection and the chief noise sources. We find that CSL with standard parameters could be observed using a vibration-isolated ion trap of size 1 cm at ultralow pressure with optical interferometric detection.
The continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) theory alters the Schr\"odinger equation. It describes wave-function collapse as a dynamical process instead of an ill-defined postulate, thereby providing macroscopic uniqueness and solving the so-called measurement problem of standard quantum theory. CSL contains a parameter $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ giving the collapse rate of an isolated nucleon in a superposition of two spatially separated states and, more generally, characterizing the collapse time for any physical situation. CSL is experimentally testable, since it predicts some behavior different from that predicted by standard quantum theory. One example is the narrowing of wave functions, which results in energy imparted to particles. Here we consider energy given to trapped ultracold atoms. Since these are the coldest samples under experimental investigation, it is worth inquiring how they are affected by the CSL heating mechanism. We examine the CSL heating of a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in contact with its thermal cloud. Of course, other mechanisms also provide heat and also particle loss. From varied data on optically trapped cesium BECs, we present an energy audit for known heating and loss mechanisms. The result provides an upper limit on CSL heating and thereby an upper limit on the parameter $\ensuremath{\lambda}$. We obtain $\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\lesssim}1(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$.
{The Continuous Spontaneous Localization (CSL) theory alters the Schrodinger equation. It describes wave function collapse as a dynamical process instead of an ill-defined postulate, thereby providing macroscopic uniqueness and solving the so-called measurement problem of standard quantum theory. CSL contains a parameter λ\lambdaλ giving the collapse rate of an isolated nucleon in a superposition of two spatially separated states and, more generally, characterizing the collapse time for any physical situation. CSL is experimentally testable, since it predicts some behavior different from that predicted by standard quantum theory. One example is the narrowing of wave functions, which results in energy imparted to particles. Here we consider energy given to trapped ultra-cold atoms. Since these are the coldest samples under experimental investigation, it is worth inquiring how they are affected by the CSL heating mechanism. We examine the CSL heating of a BEC in contact with its thermal cloud. Of course, other mechanisms also provide heat and also particle loss. From varied data on optically trapped cesium BEC's, we present an energy audit for known heating and loss mechanisms. The result provides an upper limit on CSL heating and thereby an upper limit on the parameter λ\lambdaλ. We obtain λ≲1(±1)×10−7\lambda\lesssim 1(\pm1)\times 10^{-7}λ≲1(±1)×10−7sec−1^{-1}−1.}