On the Gravitization of Quantum Mechanics 1: Quantum State Reduction

Foundations of Physics 44 (5):557-575 (2014)
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Abstract

This paper argues that the case for “gravitizing” quantum theory is at least as strong as that for quantizing gravity. Accordingly, the principles of general relativity must influence, and actually change, the very formalism of quantum mechanics. Most particularly, an “Einsteinian”, rather than a “Newtonian” treatment of the gravitational field should be adopted, in a quantum system, in order that the principle of equivalence be fully respected. This leads to an expectation that quantum superpositions of states involving a significant mass displacement should have a finite lifetime, in accordance with a proposal previously put forward by Diósi and the author

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reprint Penrose, R. (2014) "On the Gravitization of Quantum Mechanics 1: Quantum State Reduction". \em Found. Phys 44():557–575

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Roger Penrose
University of California, Irvine

Citations of this work

Quantum gravity at low energies.David Wallace - 2022 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 94 (C):31-46.
Scientific Objectivity and Its Limits.Richard Healey - 2024 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 75 (3):639-662.

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References found in this work

On the possible role of gravity in the reduction of the wave function.F. Károlyházy, A. Frenkel & B. Lukács - 1986 - In Roger Penrose & C. J. Isham, Quantum concepts in space and time. New York ;: Oxford University Press. pp. 1--109.

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