Does Quantum Mechanics Clash with the Equivalence Principle - and Does it Matter?

Abstract

With an eye on developing a quantum theory of gravity, many physicists have recently searched for quantum challenges to the equivalence principle of general relativity. However, as historians and philosophers of science are well aware, the principle of equivalence is not so clear. When clarified, we think quantum tests of the equivalence principle won't yield much. The problem is that the clash/not-clash is either already evident or guaranteed not to exist. Nonetheless, this work does help teach us what it means for a theory to be geometric.

12 pages

References in corpus (5)

• Null Geodesic Congruences, Asymptotically Flat Space-Times and Their Physical Interpretation
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Cited by in corpus (20)

• Nonequivalence of equivalence principles
• Non-relativistic limit of quantum field theory in inertial and non-inertial frames and the Principle of Equivalence
• Can gravity account for the emergence of classicality?
• Can quantum probes satisfy the weak equivalence principle?
• Testing the Equivalence Principle with Unstable Particles
• Higgs shifts from electron-positron annihilations near neutron stars
• Watching the Clocks: Interpreting the Page-Wootters Formalism and the Internal Quantum Reference Frame Programme
• Free fall in KvN mechanics and Einstein's principle of equivalence
• Equivalence Principle in Classical and Quantum Gravity
• Lorentz-violating scalar Hamiltonian and equivalence principle in a static metric
• Does universality of free-fall apply to the motion of quantum probes?
• Quantum equivalence principle without mass superselection
• On the gravitational energy problem and the energy of photons
• Entanglement-induced deviation from the geodesic motion in quantum gravity
• Matter waves and clocks do not observe uniform gravitational fields
• Equivalence principle and quantum mechanics: quantum simulation with entangled photons
• Adherence and violation of the equivalence principle from classical to quantum mechanics
• Fresh look at the effects of gravitational tidal forces on a freely-falling quantum particle
• Second-Order Moment Quantum Fluctuations and Quantum Equivalence Principle
• Quantum Physics in Space