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Why space could be quantised on a different scale to matter
by Matthew J. Lake
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Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Matthew J. Lake |
| Submission information | |
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| Preprint Link: | scipost_202009_00001v4 (pdf) |
| Date accepted: | 2021-08-04 |
| Date submitted: | 2021-07-08 11:09 |
| Submitted by: | Lake, Matthew J. |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics Proceedings |
| Proceedings issue: | Review of Particle Physics at PSI (PSI2020) |
| Ontological classification | |
|---|---|
| Academic field: | Physics |
| Specialties: |
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| Approaches: | Theoretical, Phenomenological |
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.
Author comments upon resubmission
List of changes
Technical detail of the model has been added in a new appendix. Minor changes of language, in accordance with the referee's previous recommendations, have also been made within the main text. All changes from the previous version of the manuscript are highlighted in blue.
Published as SciPost Phys. Proc. 4, 014 (2021)
Reports on this Submission
Report #1 by Anonymous (Referee 5) on 2021-7-18 (Invited Report)
- Cite as: Anonymous, Report on arXiv:scipost_202009_00001v4, delivered 2021-07-18, doi: 10.21468/SciPost.Report.3254
Report
The author has made an appreciable effort to improve the manuscript. The added appendix provides technical justification for arguments appearing in the main text. Statements now appear in more appropriate form. Given that this is a proceedings contribution, the manuscript can be accepted for publication in the proceedings volume of the 4th International Conference on Holography, Hanoi, Vietnam in its current form.