# On the possibility of experimental detection of the discreteness of time

## TL;DR

This paper discusses how the Bose-Marletto-Vedral experiment could potentially detect the discrete structure of time at the Planck scale through quantum gravitational effects on proper-time interference.

## Contribution

It links the experiment to testing Planck-scale discreteness of time via proper-time interference effects and entanglement entropy.

## Key findings

- Proper-time differences are of order Planck time for Planck-mass particles.
- The experiment could reveal quantum levels of entanglement entropy related to time discreteness.
- Time discreteness at the Planck scale might manifest in measurable quantum effects.

## Abstract

The Bose-Marletto-Vedral experiment tests a non-relativistic quantum effect due to a gravitational interaction. It has received attention because it may soon be within observational reach in the lab. We observe here that: (i) in relativistic language the experiment tests an interference effect between proper-time intervals; (ii) the relevant difference of proper times is of the order of the Planck time if the masses of the particles in the experiment are of the order of the Planck mass (micrograms); (iii) the experiment might open a window on the structure of time at the Planck scale: if time differences are discrete at this scale ---as quantum gravity research may suggest--- the Planckian discreteness of time could show up as quantum levels of a measurable entanglement entropy.