Both Albert Einstein and Louis de Broglie were dissatisfied with the type of quantum probabilities found in standard quantum mechanics. We have recently introduced a new formulation of quantum mechanics in which the quantum gravity probabilities are much more closely aligned with what de Broglie was seeking and hoping for. We show that if energy is conserved, then these new types of quantum gravity probabilities must also be conserved. Furthermore, we suggest that there must exist a probability gap above zero—that is, a lowest non-zero probability. In other words, quantum gravity probabilities are not continuous from zero to one, but instead exhibit a finite probability gap.
Abstract ‘Saved by Gravity’ shows how exotic gravitational effects could enable our escape from quantum death, by creating particles that violate quantum mechanics and Born’s formula. We begin with a review of quantum gravity and of the notorious ‘problem of time’. We explain why the theory is unable to give a mathematically consistent account of quantum probability. We propose that the problem can be solved if we accept that there is no quantum death, and no Born’s formula, at the deepest level of quantum gravity. The chapter ends by showing how quantum-gravitational effects can create violations of Born’s formula, in particular for radiation from exploding primordial black holes.