Can Quantum Occur on Manifolds Beyond Spacetime?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of "Quantum Manifolds" and whether quantum phenomena can occur on manifolds that are not necessarily tied to spacetime. Participants explore the definitions and implications of quantum in relation to various types of manifolds, including noncommutative and higher-dimensional manifolds.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the term "Quantum Manifolds" is meaningful and if quantum can exist on a manifold outside of the context of Lorentzian manifolds, which are typically associated with quantum gravity.
  • One participant defines manifolds as mathematical structures that can describe various physical models, suggesting that not all manifolds are related to spacetime, but expresses uncertainty about the precise meaning of 'Quantum'.
  • A participant mentions noncommutative manifolds as a concept related to "quantum geometry" but admits a lack of understanding about its implications.
  • There is a discussion about the validity of the term "higher dimensional manifolds" in the context of quantum, with some arguing that quantum phenomena exhibit non-local correlations that might imply the use of such manifolds.
  • Another participant challenges the coherence of the idea of quantum waves using higher-dimensional manifolds, suggesting that the statement lacks meaning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the meaning and relevance of quantum in relation to various types of manifolds. There is no consensus on the definitions or implications of these concepts, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding the terms 'Quantum' and 'Manifold', as well as the potential ambiguity in discussing higher-dimensional manifolds in relation to quantum phenomena.

jlcd
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Does the words "Quantum Manifolds" make any sense?

Can quantum occurs on a manifold?

Or do you automatically equate manifolds to lorentzian manifold and it becomes a problem of quantum gravity?

Or can there be manifolds not related to spacetime.. so can quantum on manifold make sense?
 
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What is 'Quantum'?
I know what manifolds are: mathematical structures used to describe several physical models. Therefore manifolds appear not only in spacetime models. If you like you could even regard every vector space as a manifold.
So what do you mean by 'Quantum'?
At its best it is 'something discrete' and not really appropriate as a precisely defined term outside of QFT, QCD or alike. Even quantum gravity is IMO more a popular punchline to describe GUTs than a physically term.
Therefore we are left with discrete manifolds, i.e. a discrete topology which is rather boring. I don't know whether it is used in physical models. However, there are lattices in QFT. I have no idea whether manifolds are an appropriate concept to deal with them, but I have my doubts.
 
Does the words "higher dimensional manifolds" make sense? Since quantum has non-local correlations beyond Lorentizian spacetime.. is it not incorrect to say quantum waves use higher dimensional manifolds?
 
jlcd said:
Does the words "higher dimensional manifolds" make sense?
A manifold can have a dimension, so "higher dimensional manifolds" might make sense when it is clear what we're comparing when we say that the dimensionality of one manifold is higher than that of another.
Since quantum has non-local correlations beyond Lorentizian spacetime.. is it not incorrect to say quantum waves use higher dimensional manifolds?
Neither correct nor incorrect, as this is just meaningless babble.

This thread is closed.
 

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