Which Quantum Theory Must be Reconciled with Gravity? (And What Does it Mean for Black Holes?)

We consider the nature of quantum properties in non-relativistic quantum mechanics (QM) and relativistic quantum field theories, and examine the connection between formal quantization schemes and intuitive notions of wave-particle duality. Based on the map between classical Poisson brackets and thei...

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Main Author: Matthew J. Lake
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2016-10-01
Series:Universe
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/2/4/24
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author Matthew J. Lake
author_facet Matthew J. Lake
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description We consider the nature of quantum properties in non-relativistic quantum mechanics (QM) and relativistic quantum field theories, and examine the connection between formal quantization schemes and intuitive notions of wave-particle duality. Based on the map between classical Poisson brackets and their associated commutators, such schemes give rise to quantum states obeying canonical dispersion relations, obtained by substituting the de Broglie relations into the relevant (classical) energy-momentum relation. In canonical QM, this yields a dispersion relation involving ℏ but not c, whereas the canonical relativistic dispersion relation involves both. Extending this logic to the canonical quantization of the gravitational field gives rise to loop quantum gravity, and a map between classical variables containing G and c, and associated commutators involving ℏ. This naturally defines a “wave-gravity duality”, suggesting that a quantum wave packet describing self-gravitating matter obeys a dispersion relation involving G, c and ℏ. We propose an Ansatz for this relation, which is valid in the semi-Newtonian regime of both QM and general relativity. In this limit, space and time are absolute, but imposing v max = c allows us to recover the standard expressions for the Compton wavelength λ C and the Schwarzschild radius r S within the same ontological framework. The new dispersion relation is based on “extended” de Broglie relations, which remain valid for slow-moving bodies of any mass m. These reduce to canonical form for m ≪ m P , yielding λ C from the standard uncertainty principle, whereas, for m ≫ m P , we obtain r S as the natural radius of a self-gravitating quantum object. Thus, the extended de Broglie theory naturally gives rise to a unified description of black holes and fundamental particles in the semi-Newtonian regime.
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spelling doaj.art-e7e2a2c6072e4fdda9f75426b89b3d2a2022-12-22T04:09:48ZengMDPI AGUniverse2218-19972016-10-01242410.3390/universe2040024universe2040024Which Quantum Theory Must be Reconciled with Gravity? (And What Does it Mean for Black Holes?)Matthew J. Lake0The Institute for Fundamental Study, “The Tah Poe Academia Institute”, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, ThailandWe consider the nature of quantum properties in non-relativistic quantum mechanics (QM) and relativistic quantum field theories, and examine the connection between formal quantization schemes and intuitive notions of wave-particle duality. Based on the map between classical Poisson brackets and their associated commutators, such schemes give rise to quantum states obeying canonical dispersion relations, obtained by substituting the de Broglie relations into the relevant (classical) energy-momentum relation. In canonical QM, this yields a dispersion relation involving ℏ but not c, whereas the canonical relativistic dispersion relation involves both. Extending this logic to the canonical quantization of the gravitational field gives rise to loop quantum gravity, and a map between classical variables containing G and c, and associated commutators involving ℏ. This naturally defines a “wave-gravity duality”, suggesting that a quantum wave packet describing self-gravitating matter obeys a dispersion relation involving G, c and ℏ. We propose an Ansatz for this relation, which is valid in the semi-Newtonian regime of both QM and general relativity. In this limit, space and time are absolute, but imposing v max = c allows us to recover the standard expressions for the Compton wavelength λ C and the Schwarzschild radius r S within the same ontological framework. The new dispersion relation is based on “extended” de Broglie relations, which remain valid for slow-moving bodies of any mass m. These reduce to canonical form for m ≪ m P , yielding λ C from the standard uncertainty principle, whereas, for m ≫ m P , we obtain r S as the natural radius of a self-gravitating quantum object. Thus, the extended de Broglie theory naturally gives rise to a unified description of black holes and fundamental particles in the semi-Newtonian regime.http://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/2/4/24black holeselementary particlesmodified dispersion relations
spellingShingle Matthew J. Lake
Which Quantum Theory Must be Reconciled with Gravity? (And What Does it Mean for Black Holes?)
Universe
black holes
elementary particles
modified dispersion relations
title Which Quantum Theory Must be Reconciled with Gravity? (And What Does it Mean for Black Holes?)
title_full Which Quantum Theory Must be Reconciled with Gravity? (And What Does it Mean for Black Holes?)
title_fullStr Which Quantum Theory Must be Reconciled with Gravity? (And What Does it Mean for Black Holes?)
title_full_unstemmed Which Quantum Theory Must be Reconciled with Gravity? (And What Does it Mean for Black Holes?)
title_short Which Quantum Theory Must be Reconciled with Gravity? (And What Does it Mean for Black Holes?)
title_sort which quantum theory must be reconciled with gravity and what does it mean for black holes
topic black holes
elementary particles
modified dispersion relations
url http://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/2/4/24
work_keys_str_mv AT matthewjlake whichquantumtheorymustbereconciledwithgravityandwhatdoesitmeanforblackholes