Gravity modulation of the Schrödinger equation.

Francisco Chinesta, Emmanuelle Abisset‐Chavanne

Khalid Md. Nor, Ithnin Abdul Jalil, Hassan Abu Kasim

The relativistic Schrodinger equation is reinterpreted as describing a classical particle that mutually-interacts with other objects via electromagnetic-like gravity waves. The accompanying derivation equates the usual quantum mechanical energy and momentum operators to the effects of negative or attractive energy. Lorentz-like transformation equations are obtained that yield the uncertainty principle such that quantum uncertainty is ascribed to the disregard of a magnetic-like component of a gravity wave. Finally, quantum-level Maxwell-like equations that involve the above gravity waves are derived.

Philip Brenner, Vidar Thomée, Lars B. Wahlbin

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.

André Großardt

No experimental evidence exists, to date, whether or not the gravitational field must be quantised. Theoretical arguments in favour of quantisation are inconclusive. The most straightforward alternative to quantum gravity, a coupling between classical gravity and quantum matter according to the semi-classical Einstein equations, yields a nonlinear modification of the Schrödinger equation. Here, effects of this so-called Schrödinger-Newton equation are discussed, which allow for technologically feasible experimental tests.

David B. Cook