On the Precision of a Length Measurement
High Energy Physics - Theory
2008-11-26 v1 Astrophysics
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
Abstract
We show that quantum mechanics and general relativity imply the existence of a minimal length. To be more precise, we show that no operational device subject to quantum mechanics, general relativity and causality could exclude the discreteness of spacetime on lengths shorter than the Planck length. We then consider the fundamental limit coming from quantum mechanics, general relativity and causality on the precision of the measurement of a length.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.hep-th/0701073,
title = {On the Precision of a Length Measurement},
author = {Xavier Calmet},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:hep-th/0701073},
year = {2008}
}
Comments
5 pages, to appear in the proceedings of the 2006 International School of Subnuclear Physics in Erice and in ''Young Scientists'' online-only supplement of the European Physical Journal C-Direct (Springer)