Gravitational self-localization in quantum measurement

Abstract

Within Newton-Schrödinger quantum mechanics which allows gravitational self-interaction, it is shown that a no-split no-collapse measurement scenario is possible. A macroscopic pointer moves at low acceleration, controlled by the Ehrenfest-averaged force acting on it. That makes classicality self-sustaining, resolves Everett's paradox, and outlines a way to spontaneous emergence of quantum randomness. Numerical estimates indicate that enhanced short-range gravitational forces are needed for the scenario to work. The scheme fails to explain quantum nonlocality, including two-detector anticorrelations, which points towards the need of a nonlocal modification of the Newton-Schrödinger coupling scheme.

Accepted for publication in Physical Review A; extends and replaces quant-ph/0204036

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• The wave nature of biomolecules and fluorofullerenes
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• Informal Resource Letter - Nonlinear quantum mechanics on arXiv up to August 2004
• Note on Possible Emergence Time of Newtonian Gravity
• Theory of a double-dot charge detector
• The frictional Schrödinger-Newton equation in models of wave function collapse
• Schrodinger-Newton equation with complex Newton constant and induced gravity
• Implications for cognitive quantum computation and decoherence limits in the presence of large extra dimensions
• Gravitationally-Induced Quantum Superpopsition Reduction with Large Extra Dimensions
• To make a nanomechanical Schrödinger-cat mew