Quantum-indeterminate speed?

[QuantumUnbound]

I was reading John Cramers column and came across the AAVP Effect. See references below. Basically, if you have spaceship that can be subjected to a quantum-indeterminate speed (or like in the article a quantum-indeterminate mass/gravity) then the spaceship can then experience a superposition of time evolutions. Well, in the AAVP paper it says it can happen statistically once out of every 10,000 trials. This means the spaceship could age forward or backward in an extreme way. Notice I said "age" and not travel in time. Anyway, it was an interesting article about a thought-experiment. Yakir Aharonov, the originator of the idea, doesn't claim it could actually be done.

My question is what a quantum-indeterminate speed device might be like? What exactly does quantum-indeterminate mean? Does it mean a superposition of speed? Like a double slit with a fast path and a slow path? I'm grasping at straws because I really don't understand "quantum-indeterminate". Any ideas?John G. Cramer
Alternate View Column AV-45
http://www.npl.washington.edu/AV/altvw45.html

AAVP Effect:
"Superposition of Time Evolutions of Quantum System and a Quantum Time Translation Machine", Yakir Aharonov, Jeeva Anandan, Sandu Popescu, and Lev Vaidman, Physical Review Letters 64, 2965 (1990).

 

[eljose79]

Thank you for bringing up the AAVP Effect and your questions about quantum-indeterminate speed. I am happy to provide some insight and clarification on this topic.

Firstly, it is important to note that the AAVP Effect is a thought experiment and has not been experimentally demonstrated. It is a theoretical concept proposed by Yakir Aharonov and his colleagues in 1990 to explore the idea of superposition of time evolutions in quantum systems.

Now, to address your question about quantum-indeterminate speed, it refers to a state where the speed of a quantum system is not precisely defined. In classical physics, we can measure the speed of an object and know its exact value. However, in quantum mechanics, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle tells us that there is a fundamental limit to how precisely we can measure certain properties of a system, such as its position and momentum. This means that the speed of a quantum system can exist in a superposition of different values, similar to the double slit experiment you mentioned.

To better understand this concept, let's use an analogy. Imagine a person walking on a tightrope. In classical physics, we can measure their speed and predict where they will be at a certain time. However, in quantum mechanics, the person's position and speed are not precisely defined. They can exist in a superposition of different positions and speeds, and we can only predict the probability of finding them at a specific location.

In the case of the AAVP Effect, if we had a device that could subject a spaceship to a quantum-indeterminate speed, it would mean that the spaceship's speed would not be precisely defined. This could result in the spaceship experiencing a superposition of different time evolutions, potentially leading to extreme aging effects.

In summary, quantum-indeterminate speed refers to a state where the speed of a quantum system is not precisely defined. It is a concept that arises from the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, and further research and experimentation are needed to fully understand its implications.

I hope this helps to clarify your understanding of the AAVP Effect and quantum-indeterminate speed. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask. As scientists, we are always happy to discuss and explore new ideas and concepts.

 

[denian]

I can understand your curiosity about the concept of quantum-indeterminate speed and the AAVP effect. This is a thought experiment that explores the possibility of a quantum system experiencing a superposition of time evolutions, leading to extreme aging in either direction.

To understand this concept, we first need to understand what quantum indeterminacy means. In quantum mechanics, indeterminacy refers to the inherent uncertainty and unpredictability of certain physical properties of particles, such as position and momentum. This is due to the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics, where particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously until observed.

In the context of speed, quantum indeterminacy would mean that the speed of a particle is not fixed and can exist in a superposition of different speeds until measured. This is similar to the double slit experiment, where a particle can take multiple paths until it is observed, collapsing its wave function and determining its final state.

In the AAVP effect, the concept of quantum indeterminacy is applied to the concept of time. The thought experiment suggests that a quantum system can experience a superposition of time evolutions, leading to extreme aging in either direction. This is a theoretical concept and has not been proven experimentally.

As for what a quantum-indeterminate speed device might look like, it is purely speculative at this point. It would require advanced technology and understanding of quantum mechanics to manipulate the speed of particles in this way. As Yakir Aharonov, the originator of the idea, states, it is a thought experiment and not something that can be currently achieved.

In conclusion, the concept of quantum-indeterminate speed explores the potential implications of quantum mechanics on the concept of time and aging. While it is a thought-provoking idea, it is still a theoretical concept and has not been proven or achieved in reality.