Which quantum theory must be reconciled with gravity? (And what does it mean for black holes?)

Abstract

We consider the nature of quantum properties in non-relativistic quantum mechanics (QM) and relativistic QFTs, and examine the connection between formal quantization schemes and intuitive notions of wave-particle duality. Based on the map between classical Poisson brackets and their associated commutators, such schemes give rise to quantum states obeying canonical dispersion relations, obtained by substituting the de Broglie relations into the relevant (classical) energy-momentum relation. In canonical QM, this yields a dispersion relation involving $\hbar$ but not $c$, whereas the canonical relativistic dispersion relation involves both. Extending this logic to the canonical quantization of the gravitational field gives rise to loop quantum gravity, and a map between classical variables containing $G$ and $c$, and associated commutators involving $\hbar$. This naturally defines a "wave-gravity duality", suggesting that a quantum wave packet describing {\it self-gravitating matter} obeys a dispersion relation involving $G$, $c$ and $\hbar$. We propose an ansatz for this relation, which is valid in the semi-Newtonian regime of both QM and general relativity. In this limit, space and time are absolute, but imposing $v_{\rm max} = c$ allows us to recover the standard expressions for the Compton wavelength $λ_C$ and the Schwarzschild radius $r_S$ within the same ontological framework. The new dispersion relation is based on "extended" de Broglie relations, which remain valid for slow-moving bodies of {\it any} mass $m$. These reduce to canonical form for $m \ll m_P$, yielding $λ_C$ from the standard uncertainty principle, whereas, for $m \gg m_P$, we obtain $r_S$ as the natural radius of a self-gravitating quantum object. Thus, the extended de Broglie theory naturally gives rise to a unified description of black holes and fundamental particles in the semi-Newtonian regime.