Loss of coherence from discrete quantum gravity

TL;DR

This paper explores a discrete quantum gravity model that modifies quantum mechanics, leading to natural decoherence effects, and suggests mesoscopic systems like Bose-Einstein condensates as potential experimental tests.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum gravity quantization approach based on discrete space-time that predicts decoherence without energy conservation issues.

Findings

Discrete quantum gravity implies quantum state decoherence.

The model overcomes energy conservation problems of previous decoherence theories.

Mesoscopic systems are promising for experimental verification.

Abstract

We show that a recent proposal for the quantization of gravity based on discrete space-time implies a modification of standard quantum mechanics that naturally leads to a loss of coherence in quantum states of the type discussed by Milburn. The proposal overcomes the energy conservation problem of previously proposed decoherence mechanisms stemming from quantum gravity. Mesoscopic quantum systems (as Bose--Einstein condensates) appear as the most promising testing grounds for an experimental verification of the mechanism.