On the conjectured gravity-related collapse rate $E_\Delta/\hbar$ of massive quantum superpositions

TL;DR

This paper discusses a conjecture that massive quantum superpositions undergo gravity-related collapse at a rate determined by their gravitational self-energy, challenging standard quantum mechanics and exploring the theoretical basis of this idea.

Contribution

It reviews and discusses the proposal that gravitational self-energy governs collapse rates of massive superpositions, providing different derivations and underlying arguments.

Findings

Recapitulation of the gravity-related collapse rate conjecture

Discussion of theoretical derivations of the rate equation

Analysis of arguments supporting the radical departure from standard quantum mechanics

Abstract

Roger Penrose and the author share the proposal that the spatial superposition $|x_1\rangle+|x_2\rangle$ of a massive object collapses into its localized components $|x_1\rangle$ or $|x_2\rangle$ with the characteristic time $\hbar/E_\Delta$ where $E_\Delta$ is the gravitational self-energy excess of the superposition versus the localized states. Underlying arguments of such radical departure from standard quantum mechanics and different derivations of the rate equation are briefly recapitulated and discussed.