paper

Dimensionful deformations of Poincare' symmetries for a Quantum Gravity without ideal observers

arXiv:gr-qc/9808046 · doi:10.1142/S0217732398001376

Abstract

Quantum Mechanics is revisited as the appropriate theoretical framework for the description of the outcome of experiments that rely on the use of classical devices. In particular, it is emphasized that the limitations on the measurability of (pairs of conjugate) observables encoded in the formalism of Quantum Mechanics reproduce faithfully the ``classical-device limit'' of the corresponding limitations encountered in (real or gedanken) experimental setups. It is then argued that devices cannot behave classically in Quantum Gravity, and that this might raise serious problems for the search of a class of experiments described by theories obtained by ``applying Quantum Mechanics to Gravity.'' It is also observed that using heuristic/intuitive arguments based on the absence of classical devices one is led to consider some candidate Quantum-Gravity phenomena involving dimensionful deformations of the Poincare' symmetries.

7 pages, Latex. (This essay received an ``honorable mention'' from the Gravity Research Foundation, 1998-Ed.)

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