Calmet, Xavier, Graesser, Michael and Hsu, Stephen D H (2004) Minimum length from quantum mechanics and classical general relativity. Physical Review Letters, 93 (21). ISSN 0031-9007

Preview

PDF - Published Version Download (91kB) | Preview

Abstract

We derive fundamental limits on measurements of position, arising from quantum mechanics and classical general relativity. First, we show that any primitive probe or target used in an experiment must be larger than the Planck length l(P). This suggests a Planck-size minimum ball of uncertainty in any measurement. Next, we study interferometers (such as LIGO) whose precision is much finer than the size of any individual components and hence are not obviously limited by the minimum ball. Nevertheless, we deduce a fundamental limit on their accuracy of order l(P). Our results imply a device independent limit on possible position measurements.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Article Number: 211101
Schools and Departments:	School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User:	Xavier Calmet
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2012 18:40
Last Modified:	03 Jul 2019 02:21
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/17680

View download statistics for this item

📧 Request an update