Classical and quantum scattering by a gravitational center

TL;DR

This paper compares classical and quantum small angle scattering by a gravitational center, highlighting differences due to particle spin and proposing experiments to determine the privileged coordinate system.

Contribution

It introduces a comparison between classical and quantum scattering, emphasizing the role of particle spin and forward scattering probabilities.

Findings

Differences in scattering for particles with different spins are linked to forward scattering probabilities.

Measurement of light deflection near the Sun could identify the privileged coordinate system.

Quantum effects influence small angle gravitational scattering differently than classical predictions.

Abstract

The small angle scattering (by a gravitational field) of classical and quantum particles is considered and compared. It is suggested that the differences in small angle scattering of particles with spin 0, 1, 2 are due to the nonzero probability of forward scattering for particles described by a wave packet. It is suggested that measurements of the deflection of light in the vicinity of the Sun will decide which coordinate system is the privileged one.