What quantum effects that involve gravity can be studied without QFT?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around quantum effects related to gravity that can be studied without a complete quantum field theory (QFT) of gravitation. Participants explore various instances and propose examples, while questioning the validity and observability of certain phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention gravitational neutron interferometry and gravitational decoherence as examples of quantum effects studied without full quantization of gravity.
  • Hawking radiation is proposed as a phenomenon that requires QFT but not necessarily quantum gravity, though its observability is questioned by others.
  • Experiments on bouncing neutrons and the quantization of free fall are cited as relevant studies.
  • Additional references on neutrons bouncing in Earth's gravitational field are provided to support the discussion.
  • Proposals for observing the quantum nature of the gravitational field are mentioned, with links to relevant papers.
  • A participant expresses interest in the equivalence principle in quantum mechanics and wonders about research related to general curved spacetime.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of Hawking radiation as an example, with some questioning its observability. Multiple competing views remain regarding the examples and phenomena discussed.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on the definitions of quantum effects and the scope of what constitutes a complete quantum theory of gravitation. The discussion includes unresolved questions about the observability of certain phenomena.

andresB
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So there is no a full quantum theory of gravitation. However, there are instances where quantum effects due to gravitation have been studied. Like Gravitational neutron interferometry https://arxiv.org/pdf/1701.00259.pdf or maybe gravitational decoherence https://www.nature.com/articles/nphys3366

I would like to know if there are others quantum effects that involve gravity that can (at least in an approximate way) be studied without a full quantization of gravity.
 
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Hawking radiation, for instance. It requires QFT, but not quantum gravity.
 
Demystifier said:
Hawking radiation

I'm not sure this is a good example, since it hasn't been observed, so we don't actually know if our current predictions about it are correct.
 
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