Nonlinear quantum mechanics, the superposition principle, and the quantum measurement problem

TL;DR

This paper explores how nonlinear modifications to quantum mechanics at the Planck scale could address fundamental issues like measurement, superposition, and the role of classical time, with implications for experiments on macroscopic objects.

Contribution

It proposes a nonlinear quantum framework that explains the collapse of superpositions and the measurement problem, linking nonlinearity to macroscopic object behavior.

Findings

Nonlinearity can explain the collapse of superpositions in macroscopic objects.

Superposition lifetime decreases as object size increases.

Laboratory experiments may detect finite superposition lifetimes in mesoscopic systems.

Abstract

There are four reasons why our present knowledge and understanding of quantum mechanics could be regarded as incomplete. Firstly, the principle of linear superposition has not been experimentally tested for position eigenstates of objects having more than about a thousand atoms. Secondly, there is no universally agreed upon explanation for the process of quantum measurement. Thirdly, there is no universally agreed upon explanation for the observed fact that macroscopic objects are not found in superposition of position eigenstates. Fourthly, and perhaps most importantly, the concept of time is classical and hence external to quantum mechanics : there should exist an equivalent reformulation of the theory which does not refer to an external classical time. In this paper we argue that such a reformulation is the limiting case of a nonlinear quantum theory, with the nonlinearity becoming important at the Planck mass scale. Such a nonlinearity can provide insights into the problems mentioned above. We use a physically motivated model for a nonlinear Schrodinger equation to show that nonlinearity can help in understanding quantum measurement. We also show that while the principle of linear superposition holds to a very high accuracy for atomic systems, the lifetime of a quantum superposition becomes progressively smaller, as one goes from microscopic to macroscopic objects. This can explain the observed absence of position superpositions in macroscopic objects [lifetime is too small]. It also suggests that ongoing laboratory experiments maybe able to detect the finite superposition lifetime for mesoscopic objects, in the foreseeable future.