Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
Scientific paper
2008-01-22
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
Notes for two lectures given at the International School of Physics Enrico Fermi on Atom Optics and Space Physics (Varenna, Ju
Scientific paper
The quite different behaviors exhibited by microscopic and macroscopic systems with respect to quantum interferences suggest that there may exist a naturally frontier between quantum and classical worlds. The value of the Planck mass (22$\mu$g) may lead to the idea of a connection between this borderline and intrinsic fluctuations of spacetime. We show that it is possible to obtain quantitative answers to these questions by studying the diffusion and decoherence mechanisms induced on quantum systems by gravitational waves generated at the galactic or cosmic scales. We prove that this universal fluctuating environment strongly affects quantum interferences on macroscopic systems, while leaving essentially untouched those on microscopic systems. We obtain the relevant parameters which, besides the ratio of the system's mass to Planck mass, characterize the diffusion constant and decoherence time. We discuss the feasibility of experiments aiming at observing these effects in the context of ongoing progress towards more and more sensitive matter-wave interferometry.
Jaekel Marc-Thierry
Lamine Brahim
Reynaud Serge
No associations
LandOfFree
Gravitational waves, diffusion and decoherence does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Gravitational waves, diffusion and decoherence, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gravitational waves, diffusion and decoherence will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-95653