Bonder, Yuri and Okon, Elias and Sudarsky, Daniel (2015) Can gravity account for the emergence of classicality? Physical Review D, 92 (124050).

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Abstract

A recent debate has ensued over the claim by Pikovski et al. [Nat. Phys. 11, 668 (2015)] that systems with internal degrees of freedom undergo a universal, gravity-induced, type of decoherence that explains their quantum-to-classical transition. This decoherence is supposed to arise from the different gravitational redshifts experienced by such systems when placed in a superposition of two wave packets at different heights in a gravitational field. Here we investigate some aspects of the discussion with the aid of simple examples. In particular, we first resolve an apparent conflict between the reported results and the equivalence principle by noting that the static and free-fall descriptions focus on states associated with different hypersurfaces. Next, we emphasize that predictions regarding the observability of interference become relevant only in the context of concrete experimental settings. As a result, we caution against hasty claims of universal validity. Finally, we dispute the claim that, at least in the scenarios discussed by Pikovski et al., gravitation is responsible for the reported results, and we question the alleged ability of decoherence to explain the quantum-to-classical transition. In consequence, we argue against the extraordinary assertion by Pikovski et al. that gravity can account for the emergence of classicality.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Bonder, Yuri bonder@nucleares.unam.mx Okon, Elias eokon@filosoficas.unam.mx Sudarsky, Daniel sudarsky@nucleares.unam.mx
Keywords:	Time dilation; Gravitational redshift; Decoherence; Classicality, Quantum-to-classical transition; Equivalence principle.
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User:	Dr. Elias Okon
Date Deposited:	08 Jan 2016 12:28
Last Modified:	08 Jan 2016 12:28
Item ID:	11851
Journal or Publication Title:	Physical Review D
Publisher:	APS
Official URL:	http://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/PhysR...
DOI or Unique Handle:	10.1103/PhysRevD.92.124050
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date:	7 January 2015
Volume:	92
Number:	124050
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/11851

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• Can gravity account for the emergence of classicality? (deposited 17 Sep 2015 11:46)
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