Quantum particles feel the influence of gravitational fields they never touch

Re:Quantum particles feel the influence of gravitational fie... by pdonis on Saturday January 15, 2022 @02:34AM (#29944484)

> if the effect can also be detected in a gravitational field context then we've likely found a profound and deeply relevant connection between EM fields/relatively and gravity.

I'm not sure I'd say it's a breakthrough since theorists have expected it all along. And current treatments of this all have a key limitation, that they are using non-relativistic QM. Which in practice works fine since all the experiments we can currently do in this area are well within the non-relativistic domain.

A real breakthrough would be a relativistic quantum theory that included gravity as well as the other interactions. But that's probably still some way off.

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Re:Quantum particles feel the influence of gravitational fie... by hilbert42 on Saturday January 15, 2022 @05:13AM (#29945258)

"real breakthrough would be a relativistic quantum theory that included gravity..."

Yeah, sometimes one has to be optimistic. I'm aware of the limitations of using non-relativistic QM but it seemed to me that this experimental connection, if confirmed, would encourage or even force relativistic work to center stage.

Essentially, both theoretical and experimental practitioners could now say 'we've now a concrete stating point'. On reflection, I wouldn't expect a full GR explanation to come easy. Still, it's a start.

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