Modified commutators are not sufficient to determine a quantum gravity minimal length scale

Abstract

In quantum gravity it is generally thought that a modified commutator of the form $[\hat{x},\hat{p}]=i\hslash (1+\beta p^2)$ is sufficient to give rise to a minimum length scale. We test this assumption and find that different pairs of modified operators can lead to the same modified commutator and yet give different or even no minimal length. The conclusion is that the modification of the operators is the main factor in determining whether there is a minimal length. This fact - that it is the specific form of the modified operators which determine the existence or not of a minimal length scale - can be used to keep or reject specific modifications of the position and momentum operators in theory of quantum gravity.

14 pages and 3 figures. Revised to address referee comments. References added. To be published in PLB

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