Quantum-first gravity - Steve Giddings

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This discussion focuses on Steve Giddings' paper that presents a quantum-first approach to gravity, emphasizing a framework that integrates quantum mechanics with additional mathematical structures on Hilbert space. The principle of correspondence is highlighted, aiming to reproduce spacetime, general relativity, and quantum field theory under weak gravitational fields. A significant aspect of this approach is the exploration of "Einstein separability" and the challenges in defining independent subsystems in the context of gravity. The findings suggest that gravitational behavior precedes entanglement, indicating that entanglement cannot be the source of gravity.

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  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with Hilbert space and its mathematical structures
  • Knowledge of general relativity concepts
  • Basic grasp of quantum field theory
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  • Research the implications of "Einstein separability" in quantum gravity
  • Explore the mathematical structures of Hilbert space related to gravity
  • Investigate the relationship between gauge invariance and gravitational behavior
  • Study the constraints of unitarity in quantum systems
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Researchers in theoretical physics, particularly those focused on quantum gravity, quantum mechanics, and the interplay between gravity and quantum entanglement.

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This paper elaborates on an intrinsically quantum approach to gravity, which begins with a general framework for quantum mechanics and then seeks to identify additional mathematical structure on Hilbert space that is responsible for gravity and other phenomena. A key principle in this approach is that of correspondence: this structure should reproduce spacetime, general relativity, and quantum field theory in a limit of weak gravitational fields. A central question is that of "Einstein separability," and asks how to define mutually independent subsystems, e.g. through localization. Familiar definitions involving tensor products or operator subalgebras do not clearly accomplish this in gravity, as is seen in the correspondence limit. Instead, gravitational behavior, particularly gauge-invariance, suggests a network of Hilbert subspaces related via inclusion maps. Any such localization structure is also expected to place strong constraints on evolution, which are also supplemented by the constraint of unitarity.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.04973
 
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Greg Bernhardt said:
An interesting conclusion is that gravity comes before entanglement in the structures - which means that entanglement can't cause gravity.
 
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