Can gravitational lensing detect Very small deviations in light propagation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential for gravitational lensing techniques to detect very small deviations in light propagation caused by quantum fluctuations in spacetime. Participants explore the relationship between gravitational waves, quantum fluctuations, and light propagation, questioning whether current methods can identify such minute effects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that gravitational lensing could reveal small deviations in light propagation due to quantum fluctuations affecting spacetime.
  • Others argue that there is currently no theoretical framework to describe quantum fluctuations in spacetime, which limits the ability to answer related questions.
  • A participant requests sources discussing the impact of quantum fluctuations on light propagation, indicating a desire for further information.
  • One participant shares links to papers discussing quantum fluctuations of the gravitational field but notes that these do not substantiate claims about observable effects on light propagation.
  • Another participant concludes that without a solid theory or experimental evidence, the original question remains unanswerable at this time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the detectability of quantum fluctuations through gravitational lensing techniques. There is no consensus on whether such deviations can be observed or if the necessary theoretical framework exists.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the absence of a quantum theory of gravity, which affects the ability to discuss quantum fluctuations in spacetime meaningfully. The discussion also highlights the speculative nature of proposed effects and the current lack of experimental evidence.

Precious Adegbite
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TL;DR
Can gravitational lensing detect Very small deviations in light propagation.
So normally with gravitational lensing Technique We get to see how spacetime curvature and gravitational waves affect propagation of light. So I got a questions:
(1) I know gravitational waves are caused by supernovas, collisions and other related actions, but would a quantum fluctuations that cause a quantum scale disturbance in Spacetime which affect light's propagation be detectable by small deviation in Light propagation by some special gravitational lensing techniques.
 
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Precious Adegbite said:
So I got a questions:

(1) I know gravitational waves are caused by supernovas, collisions and other related actions, but would a quantum fluctuations that cause a quantum scale disturbance in Spacetime which affect light's propagation be detectable by small deviation in Light propagation by some special gravitational lensing techniques.

(2)...

:wink:
 
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Sorry it's just one question... shouldn't have used "questions"... thanks for pointing that out.
 
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I know quantum fluctuations affects lights propagation, but is there a kind of Gravitational lensing technique to detect the small scale deviations.
 
Precious Adegbite said:
I know quantum fluctuations affects lights propagation
Can you please give a link to a source that discusses that? Thanks.
 
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Precious Adegbite said:
a quantum fluctuations that cause a quantum scale disturbance in Spacetime
...is something that we do not currently have any theory to describe (we would need a quantum theory of gravity and we don't have one). So we have no way of answering questions of this kind.
 
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Precious Adegbite said:
https://pubs.aip.org/aip/acp/articl...e-gravitational-field?redirectedFrom=fulltext
The arxiv preprint of this paper (which is accessible to those who can't get behind the paywall for the published version) is here:

https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0010070

This paper does not justify your claim that you "know" that quantum fluctuations in spacetime affect light propagation. The paper is proposing a heuristic picture (i.e., not a full theory) to try to estimate what effects might be observable. Generally speaking, their results do not seem to me to hold out the prospect of actually testing anything along these lines any time soon; the estimated effect sizes are just too small.
 
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Since we have neither a good theory nor any experimental evidence bearing on the OP question, it is not answerable at our current state of knowledge and technology. Therefore, this thread is closed.
 
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