Relativistic Quantum Clocks

Lock, Maximilian P. E.; Fuentes, Ivette

Abstract

The conflict between quantum theory and the theory of relativity is exemplified in their treatment of time. We examine the ways in which their conceptions differ, and describe a semiclassical clock model combining elements of both theories. The results obtained with this clock model in flat spacetime are reviewed, and the problem of generalizing the model to curved spacetime is discussed, before briefly describing an experimental setup which could be used to test of the model. Taking an operationalist view, where time is that which is measured by a clock, we discuss the conclusions that can be drawn from these results, and what clues they contain for a full quantum relativistic theory of time.

Citation

Lock, M. P. E., & Fuentes, I. (2017). Relativistic Quantum Clocks. In Time in Physics: Tutorials, Schools, and Workshops in the Mathematical Sciences (51-68). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68655-4_5

• Online Publication Date: Sep 26, 2017
• Publication Date: 2017
• Deposit Date: Dec 7, 2018
• Electronic ISSN: 2522-0977
• Publisher: Springer
• Pages: 51-68
• Series Title: Tutorials, Schools, and Workshops in the Mathematical Sciences
• Book Title: Time in Physics: Tutorials, Schools, and Workshops in the Mathematical Sciences
• ISBN: 9783319686547
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68655-4_5
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1387865
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-319-68655-4_5
• Related Public URLs: https://arxiv.org/abs/1609.09426
• Contract Date: Sep 26, 2017