The Instability of a Quantum Superposition of Time Dilations
arXiv:1410.2303
Abstract
Using the relativistic concept of time dilation we show that a superposition of gravitational potentials can lead to nonunitary time evolution. For sufficiently weak gravitational potentials one can still define, for all intents and purposes, a global coordinate system. A probe particle in a superposition of weak gravitational fields will, however, experience dephasing due to the different time dilations. The corresponding instability timescale is accessible to experiments, and can be used as a degree of macroscopicity. Finally, we suggest an experiment with smoothly tunable amplification in a microwave interferometer that allows a quantitative study of the quantum to classical boundary.
arXiv comment9 pages, 3 figures. Submitted to Physica C for the special issue dedicated to Prof. Jan Zaanen
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