Dangerous implications of a minimum length in quantum gravity

TL;DR

The paper discusses how a minimum length in quantum gravity, combined with a generalized uncertainty principle, could lead to dangerous phenomena like rapid proton decay, challenging the consistency of such theories.

Contribution

It demonstrates that minimum length and generalized uncertainty principles imply dangerous processes, highlighting potential issues in quantum gravity models.

Findings

Long-lived virtual super-Planck mass black holes could cause rapid proton decay

Such processes are phenomenologically unacceptable

Possible solutions to mitigate these effects are briefly discussed

Abstract

The existence of a minimum length and a generalization of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle seem to be two fundamental ingredients required in any consistent theory of quantum gravity. In this letter we show that they would predict dangerous processes which are phenomenologically unacceptable. For example, long--lived virtual super--Planck mass black holes may lead to rapid proton decay. Possible solutions of this puzzle are briefly discussed.