Quantum signatures of gravity from superpositions of primordial massive particles

Article Physics, Multidisciplinary

General Relativistic Decoherence with Applications to Dark Matter Detection

Itamar J. Allali et al.

Summary: Quantum mechanics allows for macroscopic superpositions which often decohere rapidly due to environmental interactions, but systems interacting solely gravitationally, such as arrangements of dark matter, may exhibit slow decoherence. In this study, the decoherence rate of a quantum object within general relativity was calculated, focusing on superposed metric oscillations, a rare quantum general relativistic result. It was found that dark matter in the Milky Way is robust against decoherence in a superposition of the field's phase, while spatial superpositions are not, potentially impacting direct detection experiments.

PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS (2021)

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Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Decoherence from general relativity

Itamar J. Allali et al.

Summary: The study investigates the decoherence rate of a dark matter-Schrodinger-cat state system, considering both static and time-dependent cases, finding significant decoherence rates for superposition of distinct density profiles; additionally, if the velocity dispersion is slow, the decoherence rate of the phase is exponentially suppressed, while it can decohere more rapidly if both the probe and the dark matter-Schrodinger-cat state's velocity dispersion are relativistic.

PHYSICAL REVIEW D (2021)

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Article Quantum Science & Technology

Non-Gaussianity as a Signature of a Quantum Theory of Gravity

Richard Howl et al.

Summary: Recent progress in quantum information science has opened up new possibilities for tabletop tests of quantum gravity, by establishing a theoretical link between quantum gravity and quantum information science. This new approach involves using non-Gaussianity as a signature of quantum gravity, enabling simplified experimental setups and tests that are not constrained by classical gravity interactions.

PRX QUANTUM (2021)

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Article Astronomy & Astrophysics