On entropic gravity: the entropy postulate, entropy content of screens and relation to quantum mechanics

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the entropic gravity hypothesis, addressing misconceptions about its relation to quantum states and emphasizing the need for more detailed understanding of entropy in emergent space theories.

Contribution

It clarifies misconceptions in previous criticisms of entropic gravity and discusses the importance of microstate interpretation in holographic screens for emergent space theories.

Findings

Identifies misinterpretations in previous analyses of entropic gravity

Highlights the need for detailed microstate understanding

Proposes a consistent perspective on holographic screen microstates

Abstract

We consider the controversial hypothesis that gravity is an entropic force that has its origin in the thermodynamics of holographic screens. Several key aspects of entropic gravity are discussed. In particular, we revisit and elaborate on our criticism of the recent claim that entropic gravity fails to explain observations involving gravitationally-bound quantum states of neutrons in the GRANIT experiment and gravitationally induced quantum interference. We argue that the analysis leading to this claim is troubled by a misinterpretation concerning the relation between the microstates of a holographic screen and the state of a particle in the emergent space, engendering inconsistencies. A point of view that could resolve the inconsistencies is presented. We expound the general idea of the aforementioned critical analysis of entropic gravity in such a consistent setting. This enables us to clarify the problem and to identify a premise whose validity will decide the faith of the criticism against entropic gravity. It is argued that in order to reach a sensible conclusion we need more detailed knowledge on entropic gravity. These arguments are relevant to any theory of emergent space, where the entropy of the microscopic system depends on the distribution of matter in the emergent space.