Distinguishable Consequence of Classical Gravity on Quantum Matter

What if gravity is classical? If true, a consistent coexistence of classical gravity and quantum matter requires that gravity exhibit irreducible fluctuations. These fluctuations can mediate classical correlations, but not quantum entanglement, between the quantized motion of the gravitationally interacting matter. We use a consistent theory of quantum-classical dynamics in the Newtonian limit of gravity to show that experimentally relevant observables can conclusively test the hypothesis that gravity is classical. This can be done, for example, by letting highly coherent source masses interact with each other gravitationally, and performing precise measurements of the cross-correlation of their motion. Theory predicts a characteristic phase response that distinguishes classical gravity from quantum gravity, and from naive sources of decoherence. Such experiments are imminently viable.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical Review Letters
Published
2025-02-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.134.061501
Citations
9
Primary Topic
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
11.22
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article

Distinguishable Consequence of Classical Gravity on Quantum Matter

Vivishek Sudhir, Serhii Kryhin
9 citations
Physical Review Letters
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
11.22
article

Distinguishable Consequence of Classical Gravity on Quantum Matter

Vivishek Sudhir, Serhii Kryhin
article en
9 citations

Abstract

What if gravity is classical? If true, a consistent coexistence of classical gravity and quantum matter requires that gravity exhibit irreducible fluctuations. These fluctuations can mediate classical correlations, but not quantum entanglement, between the quantized motion of the gravitationally interacting matter. We use a consistent theory of quantum-classical dynamics in the Newtonian limit of gravity to show that experimentally relevant observables can conclusively test the hypothesis that gravity is classical. This can be done, for example, by letting highly coherent source masses interact with each other gravitationally, and performing precise measurements of the cross-correlation of their motion. Theory predicts a characteristic phase response that distinguishes classical gravity from quantum gravity, and from naive sources of decoherence. Such experiments are imminently viable.

Physical Review LettersVol. 134(6)
Harvard University Press (US), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
Climate action
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
11.22
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