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A (not so?) novel explanation for the very special initial state of the universe

Elias Okon, Daniel Sudarsky

Published Jun 3, 2016• 13 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

We put forward a proposal that combines objective collapse models, developed in connection with quantum-foundational questions, with the so-called Weyl curvature hypothesis, introduced by Roger Penrose as an attempt to account for the very special initial state of the universe. In particular, we explain how a curvature dependence of the collapse rate in such models, an idea already shown to help in the context of black holes and information loss, could also offer a dynamical justification for Penrose's conjecture.

Related papers

A (not so?) novel explanation for the very special initial state of the Universe

Elias Okon, Daniel Sudarsky

Abstract We put forward a proposal that combines objective collapse models, developed in connection with quantum-foundational questions, with the so-called Weyl curvature hypothesis, introduced by Roger Penrose as an attempt to account for the very special initial state of the Universe. In particular, we explain how a curvature dependence of the collapse rate in such models, an idea already shown to help in the context of black holes and information loss, could also offer a dynamical justification for Penrose's conjecture.

arXiv:1602.07006•Classical and Quantum Gravity•Oct 26, 2016•10 citations

The Weight of Collapse: Dynamical Reduction Models in General Relativistic Contexts

Shan Gao

Inspired by possible connections between gravity and foundational question in quantum theory, we consider an approach for the adaptation of objective collapse models to a general relativistic context. We apply these ideas to a list of open problems in cosmology and quantum gravity, such as the emergence of seeds of cosmic structure, the black hole information issue, the problem of time in quantum gravity and, in a more speculative manner, to the nature of dark energy and the origin of the very special initial state of the universe. We conclude that objective collapse models offer a rather promising path to deal with all of these issues.

arXiv:1701.02963•Cambridge University Press eBooks•Apr 20, 2018•6 citations

Relativistic collapse dynamics and black hole information loss

Daniel Bedingham, Sujoy K. Modak, Daniel Sudarsky

We study a proposal for the resolution of the black hole information puzzle within the context of modified versions of quantum theory involving spontaneous reduction of the quantum state. The theories of this kind, which were developed in order to address the so-called measurement problem in quantum theory have, in the past, been framed in a nonrelativistic setting and in that form they were previously applied to the black hole information problem. Here, and for the first time, we show in a simple toy model, a treatment of the problem within a fully relativistic setting. We also discuss the issues that the present analysis leaves as open problems to be dealt with in future refinements of the present approach.

arXiv:1604.06537•Physical review. D/Physical review. D.•Aug 12, 2016•28 citations

Theory of Curvature-Driven Wavefunction Collapse and Primordial Black Hole Survival

mirwais khan

This paper proposes a quantum mechanical collapse model driven by spacetime curvature, formulated through a modified Schrödinger equation in Schwarzschild spacetime. The collapse criterion is based on a curvature amplification factor derived from the Klein–Gordon equation. We demonstrate how this theory suppresses Hawking radiation in low-mass black holes and explains the 2–5 solar mass gap seen in LIGO/Virgo gravitational wave detections. The proposed framework offers a speculative but testable path toward unifying aspects of quantum collapse and black hole thermodynamics.

•Aug 7, 2025•0 citations

Geometric Resolution of the Quantum Measurement Problem:\\ Wavefunction Collapse as a Quantitative Topological Phase Transition via Gravitational Spin Reduction

Dimitrios Ropokis

The quantum measurement problem requires a dynamical mechanism to explain the transition from a linear superposition of states to a single definite eigenstate. In this monograph, we present a quantitative geometric resolution by explicitly deriving the Penrose Objective Reduction (OR) hypothesis from the fundamental, microscopic dynamics of Topological Quantum Chromodynamics (Topological QCD). Rather than treating OR as a phenomenological postulate, we model the wavefunction $\Psi$ as a literal topological superposition within the Gravitational Spin Polarization Tensor $\Pi_{ab}$. We demonstrate that a superposition of macroscopically distinct mass states injects localized scalar curvature $R$. By proposing that the exact Lichnerowicz identity bounds the spectral gap proportionally to the gravitational self-energy $\Delta E_G$, we formulate a compelling candidate mechanism for wavefunction collapse at the time scale $\tau = \hbar / \Delta E_G$. Thus, our framework grounds Penrose's model in a fundamental, non-linear spin-network ontology.

•Mar 6, 2026•0 citations

On the conjectured gravity-related collapse rate $E_\Delta/\hbar$ of massive quantum superpositions.

Lajos Diósi

Roger Penrose and the author share the proposal that the spatial superposition $|x_1\rangle+|x_2\rangle$ of a massive object collapses into its localized components $|x_1\rangle$ or $|x_2\rangle$ with the characteristic time $\hbar/E_\Delta$ where $E_\Delta$ is the gravitational self-energy excess of the superposition versus the localized states. Underlying arguments of such radical departure from standard quantum mechanics and different derivations of the rate equation are briefly recapitulated and discussed.

•Nov 8, 2021•0 citations
We put forward a proposal that combines objective collapse models, developed in connection with quantum-foundational questions, with the so-called Weyl curvature hypothesis, introduced by Roger Penrose as an attempt to account for the very special initial state of the universe. In particular, we explain how a curvature dependence of the collapse rate in such models, an idea already shown to help in the context of black holes and information loss, could also offer a dynamical justification for Penrose's conjecture.
Abstract We put forward a proposal that combines objective collapse models, developed in connection with quantum-foundational questions, with the so-called Weyl curvature hypothesis, introduced by Roger Penrose as an attempt to account for the very special initial state of the Universe. In particular, we explain how a curvature dependence of the collapse rate in such models, an idea already shown to help in the context of black holes and information loss, could also offer a dynamical justification for Penrose's conjecture.
Inspired by possible connections between gravity and foundational question in quantum theory, we consider an approach for the adaptation of objective collapse models to a general relativistic context. We apply these ideas to a list of open problems in cosmology and quantum gravity, such as the emergence of seeds of cosmic structure, the black hole information issue, the problem of time in quantum gravity and, in a more speculative manner, to the nature of dark energy and the origin of the very special initial state of the universe. We conclude that objective collapse models offer a rather promising path to deal with all of these issues.
We study a proposal for the resolution of the black hole information puzzle within the context of modified versions of quantum theory involving spontaneous reduction of the quantum state. The theories of this kind, which were developed in order to address the so-called measurement problem in quantum theory have, in the past, been framed in a nonrelativistic setting and in that form they were previously applied to the black hole information problem. Here, and for the first time, we show in a simple toy model, a treatment of the problem within a fully relativistic setting. We also discuss the issues that the present analysis leaves as open problems to be dealt with in future refinements of the present approach.
This paper proposes a quantum mechanical collapse model driven by spacetime curvature, formulated through a modified Schrödinger equation in Schwarzschild spacetime. The collapse criterion is based on a curvature amplification factor derived from the Klein–Gordon equation. We demonstrate how this theory suppresses Hawking radiation in low-mass black holes and explains the 2–5 solar mass gap seen in LIGO/Virgo gravitational wave detections. The proposed framework offers a speculative but testable path toward unifying aspects of quantum collapse and black hole thermodynamics.
The quantum measurement problem requires a dynamical mechanism to explain the transition from a linear superposition of states to a single definite eigenstate. In this monograph, we present a quantitative geometric resolution by explicitly deriving the Penrose Objective Reduction (OR) hypothesis from the fundamental, microscopic dynamics of Topological Quantum Chromodynamics (Topological QCD). Rather than treating OR as a phenomenological postulate, we model the wavefunction Ψ\PsiΨ as a literal topological superposition within the Gravitational Spin Polarization Tensor Πab\Pi_{ab}Πab​. We demonstrate that a superposition of macroscopically distinct mass states injects localized scalar curvature RRR. By proposing that the exact Lichnerowicz identity bounds the spectral gap proportionally to the gravitational self-energy ΔEG\Delta E_GΔEG​, we formulate a compelling candidate mechanism for wavefunction collapse at the time scale τ=ℏ/ΔEG\tau = \hbar / \Delta E_Gτ=ℏ/ΔEG​. Thus, our framework grounds Penrose's model in a fundamental, non-linear spin-network ontology.
On the conjectured gravity-related collapse rate EΔ/ℏE_\Delta/\hbarEΔ​/ℏ of massive quantum superpositions.
Roger Penrose and the author share the proposal that the spatial superposition ∣x1⟩+∣x2⟩|x_1\rangle+|x_2\rangle∣x1​⟩+∣x2​⟩ of a massive object collapses into its localized components ∣x1⟩|x_1\rangle∣x1​⟩ or ∣x2⟩|x_2\rangle∣x2​⟩ with the characteristic time ℏ/EΔ\hbar/E_\Deltaℏ/EΔ​ where EΔE_\DeltaEΔ​ is the gravitational self-energy excess of the superposition versus the localized states. Underlying arguments of such radical departure from standard quantum mechanics and different derivations of the rate equation are briefly recapitulated and discussed.