Gao, Shan (2013) Does gravity induce wavefunction collapse? An examination of Penrose's conjecture. [Preprint]

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Abstract

According to Penrose, the fundamental conflict between the superposition principle of quantum mechanics and the principle of general covariance of general relativity entails the existence of wavefunction collapse, e.g. a quantum superposition of two different space-time geometries will collapse to one of them due to the ill-definedness of the time-translation operator for the superposition. In this paper, we argue that Penrose's conjecture on gravity's role in wavefunction collapse is debatable. First of all, it is still a controversial issue what the exact nature of the conflict is and how to resolve it. Secondly, Penrose's argument by analogy is too weak to establish a necessary connection between wavefunction collapse and the conflict as understood by him. Thirdly, the conflict does not necessarily lead to wavefunction collapse. For the conflict or the problem of ill-definedness for a superposition of different space-time geometries also needs to be solved before the collapse of the superposition finishes, and once the conflict has been resolved, the wavefunction collapse will lose its physical basis relating to the conflict. In addition, we argue that Penrose's suggestions for the collapse time formula and the preferred basis are also problematic.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Gao, Shan sgao7319@uni.sydney.edu.au
Additional Information:	Forthcoming in Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics
Keywords:	gravity, wavefunction collapse, quantum mechanics, general relativity, measurement problem
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User:	Dr. Shan Gao
Date Deposited:	05 Mar 2013 13:50
Last Modified:	05 Mar 2013 13:50
Item ID:	9606
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date:	5 March 2013
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9606

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• Does gravity induce wavefunction collapse? An examination of Penrose's argument. (deposited 23 Jan 2012 14:47)
  • Does gravity induce wavefunction collapse? An examination of Penrose's conjecture. (deposited 05 Mar 2013 13:50) [Currently Displayed]

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