Quantum gravitational decoherence from fluctuating minimal length and deformation parameter at the Planck scale

Area of Science:

• Quantum gravity
• Quantum decoherence
• Quantum-to-classical transition

Background:

• Gravitationally induced decoherence is studied for quantum-to-classical transition mechanisms.
• Quantum spacetime is assumed to be foamy with a fluctuating minimal length near the Planck scale.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel decoherence process arising from quantum gravity effects.
• To derive a master equation for decoherence and compare its predictions with observational evidence.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing deformed canonical commutation relations with a fluctuating parameter.
• Deriving a Lindblad master equation to model the decoherence process.
• Analyzing the decoherence rate in different quantum regimes (deep quantum and mesoscopic).

Main Results:

• A Lindblad master equation was derived, showing localization in energy space.
• Decoherence times are consistent with current observational evidence.
• The model predicts an extremal decoherence rate: minimal below the Planck scale and maximal beyond it.

Conclusions:

• The proposed quantum gravity decoherence model offers a new perspective on the quantum-to-classical transition.
• The model's predictions are consistent with existing data and suggest potential experimental verification.
• Cavity optomechanics with ultracold molecular oscillators are proposed for experimental testing.