Fundamental limit on angular measurements and rotations from quantum mechanics and general relativity

DOI10.1016/J.PHYSLETB.2021.136763MaRDI QIDQ824192zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Xavier Calmet, Stephen D. H. Hsu

Publication date 14 December 2021

Published in Physics Letters B (Search for Journal in Brave)

Copyright license Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/2108.11990

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Quantum measurement theory, state operations, state preparations (81P15) Quantum information, communication, networks (quantum-theoretic aspects) (81P45) Spinor and twistor methods applied to problems in quantum theory (81R25) Observational and experimental questions in relativity and gravitational theory (83B05) Uncertainty relations, also entropic (81S07) Quantum state tomography, quantum state discrimination (81P18)

Abstract: We show that the precision of an angular measurement or rotation (e.g., on the orientation of a qubit or spin state) is limited by fundamental constraints arising from quantum mechanics and general relativity (gravitational collapse). The limiting precision is $r^{-1}$ in Planck units, where $r$ is the physical extent of the (possibly macroscopic) device used to manipulate the spin state. This fundamental limitation means that spin states $S_1$ and $S_2$ cannot be experimentally distinguished from each other if they differ by a sufficiently small rotation. Experiments cannot exclude the possibility that the space of quantum state vectors (i.e., Hilbert space) is fundamentally discrete, rather than continuous. We discuss the implications for finitism: does physics require infinity or a continuum?

Recommendations

• Maximal acceleration, maximal angular velocity, and causal influence
• An odd feature of the “most classical” states of SU(2) invariant quantum mechanical systems
• Loss of entanglement in quantum mechanics due to the use of realistic measuring rods
• QUANTUM COSMIC CENSOR: GRAVITATION MAKES REALITY UNDECIDABLE
• Generalized uncertainty relations: theory, examples, and Lorentz invariance

Cites work

• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 49341 (Why is no real title available?)
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 3205375 (Why is no real title available?)
• Discreteness and the origin of probability in quantum mechanics
• Generalized uncertainty principle, extra dimensions and holography
• Is Hilbert space discrete?
• MINIMUM LENGTH FROM FIRST PRINCIPLES
• Minimal length scale scenarios for quantum gravity
• Quantum black holes
• Quantum production of black holes
• Quantum theory, the Church–Turing principle and the universal quantum computer
• Strict finitism and the logic of mathematical applications
• THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE CONTINUUM HYPOTHESIS
• Uncertainty in measurements of distance

This page was built for publication: Fundamental limit on angular measurements and rotations from quantum mechanics and general relativity

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q824192)