Is quantum gravity necessary?

2008/03/24 by S. Carlip, S Carlip · 4 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #gr-qc

paper · pdf · doi:10.1088/0264-9381/25/15/154010

published as Class.Quant.Grav.25:154010,2008 · based on a talk given at Peyresq Physics 11, to appear in Class. Quant. Grav

arxiv created 2008/03/24 · openalex publication_date 2008/07/22 · arxiv updated 2010/04/28 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

In view of the enormous difficulties we seem to face in quantizing general relativity, we should perhaps consider the possibility that gravity is a fundamentally classical interaction. Theoretical arguments against such mixed classical–quantum models are strong, but not conclusive, and the question is ultimately one for experiment. I review some work in progress on the possibility of experimental tests, exploiting the nonlinearity of the classical–quantum coupling, which could help settle this question.

Citations

• Testing quantum mechanics
• Comments on proposed gravitational modifications of Schrödinger dynamics and their experimental implications
• Impediments to mixing classical and quantum dynamics
• Inconsistency of quantum--classical dynamics, and what it implies

Cited by

• Quantum connectivity of space-time and gravitationally induced decorrelation of entanglement
• Addressing the so called quantum/classical “divide” in gravitational contexts, and its implications in cosmology
• Spin‐Spacetime Censorship
• Gravitationally mediated entanglement: Newtonian field versus gravitons