Does it make sense to break T duality at fundamental level?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the compatibility of Bohmian mechanics with string theory, specifically addressing the concept of T duality and the implications of a potential absence of a minimal length in the theory. The scope includes theoretical considerations and conceptual challenges related to quantum gravity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references a paper proposing that T duality breaks at the fundamental level and suggests that there is no minimal length in the theory.
  • Another participant questions the validity of the proposal, asking for potential problems associated with the absence of a minimal length.
  • A participant asserts that a minimal length is crucial for any theory of quantum gravity to maintain consistency, indicating a belief that this is a fundamental requirement.
  • Further, it is noted that while standard string theory incorporates a minimal length, Bohmian mechanics posits that standard quantum theory is incomplete and may not require a minimal length for all aspects of the theory to be consistent.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of a minimal length in the context of quantum gravity and its implications for the compatibility of Bohmian mechanics with string theory. There is no consensus on whether the proposal regarding T duality and minimal length makes sense.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the dependence on interpretations of quantum gravity and the assumptions underlying Bohmian mechanics and string theory. The implications of these interpretations remain unresolved.

JG11
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https://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0605250

Here is an attempt to make bohmian mechanics compatible with string theory. It posits that T duality breaks at the fundamental level, and that the is no minimal length in the theory. Does this proposal make sense?
 
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Why do you think that it might not make sense? What do you see as a potential problem?
 
Demystifier said:
Why do you think that it might not make sense? What do you see as a potential problem?
As I understand, the minimal length is crucial to any theory of quantum gravity in order for that theory to be consistent. You can look it up yourself.
 
JG11 said:
As I understand, the minimal length is crucial to any theory of quantum gravity in order for that theory to be consistent. You can look it up yourself.
In the sense in which the minimal length is present is standard string theory, in the same sense the minimal length is present also in Bohmian string theory. However, Bohmian mechanics claims that standard quantum theory is incomplete, i.e. that one must add something additional that standard quantum theory doesn't have. So one can say that one part of the theory does have the minimal length (as required by quantum gravity, as you said), while the other part of the theory doesn't have it. This other part does not need to have the minimal length for consistency.
 

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