A universal test for gravitational decoherence.
Quantum mechanics and the theory of gravity are presently not compatible. A particular question is whether gravity causes decoherence. Several models for gravitational decoherence have been proposed, not all of which can be described quantum mechanically. Since quantum mechanics may need to be modified, one may question the use of quantum mechanics as a calculational tool to draw conclusions from the data of experiments concerning gravity. Here we propose a general method to estimate gravitational decoherence in an experiment that allows us to draw conclusions in any physical theory where the no-signalling principle holds, even if quantum mechanics needs to be modified. As an example, we propose a concrete experiment using optomechanics. Our work raises the interesting question whether other properties of nature could similarly be established from experimental observations alone-that is, without already having a rather well-formed theory of nature to make sense of experimental data.
QuTech, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, Delft 2628 CJ, The Netherlands.|Centre for Quantum Technologies, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
C
C
Pfister
QuTech, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, Delft 2628 CJ, The Netherlands.|Centre for Quantum Technologies, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
J
0000-0003-1133-3786
J
Kaniewski
Centre for Quantum Technologies, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117543, Singapore.|School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
M
0000-0001-5410-3329
M
Tomamichel
Centre for Quantum Technologies, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
A
A
Mantri
Centre for Quantum Technologies, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
R
R
Schmucker
ARC Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
N
N
McMahon
ARC Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
G
G
Milburn
QuTech, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, Delft 2628 CJ, The Netherlands.
S
S
Wehner
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