English

Newton, entanglement, and the graviton

Quantum Physics 2022-01-11 v1 General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology High Energy Physics - Phenomenology High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

Many experiments have recently been proposed to test whether non-relativistic gravitational interactions can generate entanglement. In this note, I consider the extent to which these experiments can test if the graviton exists. Assuming unitarity and Lorentz invariance of the SS-matrix, I demonstrate that this "Newtonian entanglement" requires the existence of massless bosons, universally coupled to mass, in the Hilbert space of low-energy scattering states. These bosons could be the usual spin-2 gravitons, but in principle there are other possibilities like spin-0 scalar gravitons. I suggest a concept for a more refined experiment to rule these out. The special role of d=3+1d=3+1 spacetime dimensions and the possibility that unitarity is violated by gravity are highlighted.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2108.06320,
  title  = {Newton, entanglement, and the graviton},
  author = {Daniel Carney},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2108.06320},
  year   = {2022}
}

Comments

11 pages + appendices. Dedicated to the memory of Steve Weinberg