Quantum Mechanics Relative to a Quantum Reference System: a Relative State Approach

TL;DR

This paper introduces a background-independent quantum framework based on entangled states relative to a quantum reference system, recovering standard quantum mechanics in a non-relativistic approximation and exploring non-inertial effects.

Contribution

It develops a novel intrinsic, background-independent quantum formalism using entangled states relative to quantum reference systems, connecting to standard quantum mechanics and quantum gravity.

Findings

Recovers standard quantum mechanics equations in non-relativistic limit

Provides a geometric fiber bundle interpretation of entangled states

Discusses non-inertial effects like inertial forces in the framework

Abstract

This paper proposes an intrinsic or background-independent quantum framework based on entangled state rather than absolute quantum state, it describes a quantum relative state between the under-study quantum system and the quantum measuring apparatus as a quantum reference system, without relying on any external absolute parameter. The paper focuses on a simple example, in which a quantum object's one-dimensional position as an under-study quantum system, and a quantum clock as a quantum reference system or quantum measuring apparatus. The evolution equation of the state of the quantum object's position with respect to the state of the quantum clock is given coming from the Ricci-flat Kaehler-Einstein equation. In a linear and non-relativistic approximation, the framework recovers the equation of the standard quantum mechanics, in which an intrinsic potential related to some "inertial force" is automatically incorporated in the covariant derivative. A physical relative probability interpretation and a geometric non-trivial fiber bundle interpretation of the entangled state in this intrinsic quantum framework are given. Furthermore, some non-inertial effects, such as the "inertial force", coming from the general covariance of the intrinsic quantum framework are also discussed. Compared with the functional integral approach which is more easily to generalize the quantum clock to the quantum spacetime reference frame and study quantum gravity, the relative state approach as a canonical description is more suitable for conceptually demonstrating the connections to the standard formalism and interpretation of the quantum mechanics.