TY - JOUR
T1 - Exact uncertainty approach in quantum mechanics and quantum gravity
AU - Hall, Michael J.W.
PY - 2005/9
Y1 - 2005/9
N2 - The assumption that an ensemble of classical particles is subject to nonclassical momentum fluctuations, with the fluctuation uncertainty fully determined by the position uncertainty, has been shown to lead from the classical equations of motion to the Schrödinger equation. This 'exact uncertainty' approach may be generalised to ensembles of gravitational fields, where nonclassical fluctuations are added to the field momentum densities, of a magnitude determined by the uncertainty in the metric tensor components. In this way one obtains the Wheeler-DeWitt equation of quantum gravity, with the added bonus of a uniquely specified operator ordering. No a priori assumptions are required concerning the existence of wave functions, Hilbert spaces, Planck's constant, linear operators, etc. Thus this approach has greater transparency than the usual canonical approach, particularly in regard to the connections between quantum and classical ensembles. Conceptual foundations and advantages are emphasised.
AB - The assumption that an ensemble of classical particles is subject to nonclassical momentum fluctuations, with the fluctuation uncertainty fully determined by the position uncertainty, has been shown to lead from the classical equations of motion to the Schrödinger equation. This 'exact uncertainty' approach may be generalised to ensembles of gravitational fields, where nonclassical fluctuations are added to the field momentum densities, of a magnitude determined by the uncertainty in the metric tensor components. In this way one obtains the Wheeler-DeWitt equation of quantum gravity, with the added bonus of a uniquely specified operator ordering. No a priori assumptions are required concerning the existence of wave functions, Hilbert spaces, Planck's constant, linear operators, etc. Thus this approach has greater transparency than the usual canonical approach, particularly in regard to the connections between quantum and classical ensembles. Conceptual foundations and advantages are emphasised.
KW - Exact uncertainty
KW - Operator ordering
KW - Quantisation
KW - Quantum gravity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=26844543666&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10714-005-0131-y
DO - 10.1007/s10714-005-0131-y
M3 - Article
SN - 0001-7701
VL - 37
SP - 1505
EP - 1515
JO - General Relativity and Gravitation
JF - General Relativity and Gravitation
IS - 9
ER -