Repulsive gravitational effect of a quantum wave packet and experimental scheme with superfluid helium

TL;DR

This paper proposes a theoretical framework suggesting quantum wave packets can produce a repulsive gravitational effect, and outlines an experimental scheme using superfluid helium to test this prediction with current technology.

Contribution

It introduces a general equation for quantum wave packet gravity based on thermodynamics, predicting repulsion, and suggests feasible experiments with superfluid helium.

Findings

Equation matches Newtonian gravity in classical limit

Predicts repulsive gravity for quantum wave packets

Experimental test feasible with current technology

Abstract

We consider the gravitational effect of quantum wave packets when quantum mechanics, gravity, and thermodynamics are simultaneously considered. Under the assumption of a thermodynamic origin of gravity, we propose a general equation to describe the gravitational effect of quantum wave packets. In the classical limit, this equation agrees with Newton's law of gravitation. For quantum wave packets, however, it predicts a repulsive gravitational effect. We propose an experimental scheme using superfluid helium to test this repulsive gravitational effect. Our studies show that, with present technology such as superconducting gravimetry and cold atom interferometry, tests of the repulsive gravitational effect for superfluid helium are within experimental reach.