14,301 research outputs found
About Lorentz invariance in a discrete quantum setting
A common misconception is that Lorentz invariance is inconsistent with a
discrete spacetime structure and a minimal length: under Lorentz contraction, a
Planck length ruler would be seen as smaller by a boosted observer. We argue
that in the context of quantum gravity, the distance between two points becomes
an operator and show through a toy model, inspired by Loop Quantum Gravity,
that the notion of a quantum of geometry and of discrete spectra of geometric
operators, is not inconsistent with Lorentz invariance. The main feature of the
model is that a state of definite length for a given observer turns into a
superposition of eigenstates of the length operator when seen by a boosted
observer. More generally, we discuss the issue of actually measuring distances
taking into account the limitations imposed by quantum gravity considerations
and we analyze the notion of distance and the phenomenon of Lorentz contraction
in the framework of ``deformed (or doubly) special relativity'' (DSR), which
tentatively provides an effective description of quantum gravity around a flat
background. In order to do this we study the Hilbert space structure of DSR,
and study various quantum geometric operators acting on it and analyze their
spectral properties. We also discuss the notion of spacetime point in DSR in
terms of coherent states. We show how the way Lorentz invariance is preserved
in this context is analogous to that in the toy model.Comment: 25 pages, RevTe
Coherent Bayesian analysis of inspiral signals
We present in this paper a Bayesian parameter estimation method for the
analysis of interferometric gravitational wave observations of an inspiral of
binary compact objects using data recorded simultaneously by a network of
several interferometers at different sites. We consider neutron star or black
hole inspirals that are modeled to 3.5 post-Newtonian (PN) order in phase and
2.5 PN in amplitude. Inference is facilitated using Markov chain Monte Carlo
methods that are adapted in order to efficiently explore the particular
parameter space. Examples are shown to illustrate how and what information
about the different parameters can be derived from the data. This study uses
simulated signals and data with noise characteristics that are assumed to be
defined by the LIGO and Virgo detectors operating at their design
sensitivities. Nine parameters are estimated, including those associated with
the binary system, plus its location on the sky. We explain how this technique
will be part of a detection pipeline for binary systems of compact objects with
masses up to 20 \sunmass, including cases where the ratio of the individual
masses can be extreme.Comment: Accepted for publication in Classical and Quantum Gravity, Special
issue for GWDAW-1
Analogy between turbulence and quantum gravity: beyond Kolmogorov's 1941 theory
Simple arguments based on the general properties of quantum fluctuations have
been recently shown to imply that quantum fluctuations of spacetime obey the
same scaling laws of the velocity fluctuations in a homogeneous incompressible
turbulent flow, as described by Kolmogorov 1941 (K41) scaling theory. Less
noted, however, is the fact that this analogy rules out the possibility of a
fractal quantum spacetime, in contradiction with growing evidence in quantum
gravity research. In this Note, we show that the notion of a fractal quantum
spacetime can be restored by extending the analogy between turbulence and
quantum gravity beyond the realm of K41 theory. In particular, it is shown that
compatibility of a fractal quantum-space time with the recent Horava-Lifshitz
scenario for quantum gravity, implies singular quantum wavefunctions. Finally,
we propose an operational procedure, based on Extended Self-Similarity
techniques, to inspect the (multi)-scaling properties of quantum gravitational
fluctuations.Comment: Sliglty modified version of the article about to appear in IJMP
Generalizing entanglement via informational invariance for arbitrary statistical theories
Given an arbitrary statistical theory, different from quantum mechanics, how
to decide which are the nonclassical correlations? We present a formal
framework which allows for a definition of nonclassical correlations in such
theories, alternative to the current one. This enables one to formulate
extrapolations of some important quantum mechanical features via adequate
extensions of reciprocal maps relating states of a system with states of its
subsystems. These extended maps permit one to generalize i) separability
measures to any arbitrary statistical model as well as ii) previous
entanglement criteria. The standard definition of entanglement becomes just a
particular case of the ensuing, more general notion.Comment: Improved versio
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