Emerging (2+1)D massive graviton in graphene-like systems

TL;DR

This paper proposes a graphene-like lattice system to simulate (2+1)-dimensional massive gravity, enabling laboratory exploration of quantum gravity effects through measurable correlations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel (2+1)D massive gravity model using Dirac fermions and bosonic modes in a graphene-like system, bridging condensed matter and quantum gravity research.

Findings

Simulation of massive gravitons in a lattice system

Potential for laboratory measurement of quantum gravity signatures

Platform for exploring unification, cosmology, and black hole physics

Abstract

Unlike the fundamental forces of the Standard Model the quantum effects of gravity are still experimentally inaccessible. Rather surprisingly quantum aspects of gravity, such as massive gravitons, can emerge in experiments with fractional quantum Hall liquids. These liquids are analytically intractable and thus offer limited insight into the mechanism that gives rise to quantum gravity effects. To thoroughly understand this mechanism we employ a graphene-like system and we modify it appropriately in order to realise a simple (2+1)-dimensional massive gravity model. More concretely, we employ (2+1)-dimensional Dirac fermions, emerging in the continuous limit of a fermionic honeycomb lattice, coupled to massive gravitons, simulated by bosonic modes positioned at the links of the lattice. The quantum character of gravity can be determined directly by measuring the correlations on the bosonic atoms or by the interactions they effectively induce on the fermions. The similarity of our approach to current optical lattice configurations suggests that quantum signatures of gravity can be simulated in the laboratory in the near future, thus providing a platform to address question on the unification theories, cosmology or the physics of black holes.