Evidencing quantum gravity with thermodynamical observables

Proposed experiments for obtaining empirical evidence for a quantum description of gravity in a tabletop setting focus on detecting quantum information signatures, such as entanglement or non-Gaussianity production, in gravitationally interacting quantum systems. Here, we explore an alternative approach where the quantization of gravity could be inferred through measurements of macroscopic, thermodynamical quantities, without the need for addressability of individual quantum systems. To demonstrate the idea, we take as a case study a gravitationally self-interacting Bose gas and consider its heat capacity. We find a clear-cut distinction between the predictions of a classical gravitational interaction and a quantum gravitational interaction in the heat capacity of the Bose gas.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical Review Research
Published
2025-09-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/jdgg-hmcq
Primary Topic
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Evidencing quantum gravity with thermodynamical observables

Karl J. Friston
Physical Review Research
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
article

Evidencing quantum gravity with thermodynamical observables

Karl J. Friston
article en

Abstract

Proposed experiments for obtaining empirical evidence for a quantum description of gravity in a tabletop setting focus on detecting quantum information signatures, such as entanglement or non-Gaussianity production, in gravitationally interacting quantum systems. Here, we explore an alternative approach where the quantization of gravity could be inferred through measurements of macroscopic, thermodynamical quantities, without the need for addressability of individual quantum systems. To demonstrate the idea, we take as a case study a gravitationally self-interacting Bose gas and consider its heat capacity. We find a clear-cut distinction between the predictions of a classical gravitational interaction and a quantum gravitational interaction in the heat capacity of the Bose gas.

Physical Review ResearchVol. 7(4)
University of Vienna (AT), Austrian Academy of Sciences (AT), Royal Holloway University of London (GB), Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information Innsbruck (AT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 68%
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
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Evidencing quantum gravity with thermodynamical observables — Karl J. Friston · Physical Review Research (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS