Time dilation in quantum systems and decoherence

Author(s): Igor Pikovski, Magdalena Zych, Fabio Costa, Caslav Brukner
Abstract: Both quantum mechanics and general relativity are based on principles that defy our daily intuitions, such as time dilation, quantum interference and entanglement. Because the regimes where the two theories are typically tested are widely separated, their foundational principles are rarely jointly studied. Recent works have found that novel phenomena appear for quantum particles with an internal structure in the presence of time dilation, which can take place at low energies and in weak gravitational fields. Here we briefly review the effects of time dilation on quantum interference and generalize the results to a variety of systems. In addition, we provide an extended study of the basic principles of quantum theory and relativity that are of relevance for the effects and also address several questions that have been raised, such as the description in different reference frames, the role of the equivalence principle and the effective irreversibility of the decoherence. The manuscript clarifies some of the counterintuitive aspects arising when quantum phenomena and general relativistic effects are jointly considered.
Organisation(s): Quantum Optics, Quantum Nanophysics and Quantum Information
External organisation(s): Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Harvard University, Queensland University of Technology, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (ÖAW)
Journal: New Journal of Physics
Volume: 19
No. of pages: 15
ISSN: 1367-2630
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/aa5d92
Publication date: 02-2017
Peer reviewed: Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012: 103025 Quantum mechanics, 103026 Quantum optics, 103028 Theory of relativity
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Physics and Astronomy(all)
Portal url: https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/time-dilation-in-quantum-systems-and-decoherence(5989c17f-ae8f-48b8-8ec1-8456cd3e82b0).html