Why space could be quantised on a different scale to matter

Lake, Matthew J.

doi:10.21468/SciPostPhysProc.4.014

SciPost Physics Proceedings

Why space could be quantised on a different scale to matter

Matthew J. Lake

SciPost Phys. Proc. 4, 014 (2021) · published 13 August 2021

doi: 10.21468/SciPostPhysProc.4.014
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4th International Conference on Holography, String Theory and Discrete Approach in Hanoi

Abstract

The scale of quantum mechanical effects in matter is set by Planck's constant, $\hbar$. This represents the quantisation scale for material objects. In this article, we present a simple argument why the quantisation scale for space, and hence for gravity, may not be equal to $\hbar$. Indeed, assuming a single quantisation scale for both matter and geometry leads to the `worst prediction in physics', namely, the huge difference between the observed and predicted vacuum energies. Conversely, assuming a different quantum of action for geometry, $\beta \ll \hbar$, allows us to recover the observed density of the Universe. Thus, by measuring its present-day expansion, we may in principle determine, empirically, the scale at which the geometric degrees of freedom should be quantised.

TY  - JOUR
PB  - SciPost Foundation
DO  - 10.21468/SciPostPhysProc.4.014
TI  - Why space could be quantised on a different scale to matter
PY  - 2021/08/13
UR  - https://www.scipost.org/SciPostPhysProc.4.014
JF  - SciPost Physics Proceedings
JA  - SciPost Phys. Proc.
VL  - 
IS  - 4
SP  - 014
A1  - Lake, Matthew J.
AB  - The scale of quantum mechanical effects in matter is set by Planck's constant, $\hbar$. This represents the quantisation scale for material objects. In this article, we present a simple argument why the quantisation scale for space, and hence for gravity, may not be equal to $\hbar$. Indeed, assuming a single quantisation scale for both matter and geometry leads to the `worst prediction in physics', namely, the huge difference between the observed and predicted vacuum energies. Conversely, assuming a different quantum of action for geometry, $\beta \ll \hbar$, allows us to recover the observed density of the Universe. Thus, by measuring its present-day expansion, we may in principle determine, empirically, the scale at which the geometric degrees of freedom should be quantised.
ER  -

@Article{10.21468/SciPostPhysProc.4.014,
	title={{Why space could be quantised on a different scale to matter}},
	author={Matthew J. Lake},
	journal={SciPost Phys. Proc.},
	pages={014},
	year={2021},
	publisher={SciPost},
	doi={10.21468/SciPostPhysProc.4.014},
	url={https://scipost.org/10.21468/SciPostPhysProc.4.014},
}

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¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ Matthew J. Lake

Funder for the research work leading to this publication

Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province