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arXiv · 1904.12390

Quantum clocks observe classical and quantum time dilation

Alexander R. H. Smith·Mehdi Ahmadi
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Abstract

At the intersection of quantum theory and relativity lies the possibility of a clock experiencing a superposition of proper times. We consider quantum clocks constructed from the internal degrees of relativistic particles that move through curved spacetime. The probability that one clock reads a given proper time conditioned on another clock reading a different proper time is derived. From this conditional probability distribution, it is shown that when the center-of-mass of these clocks move in localized momentum wave packets they observe classical time dilation. We then illustrate a quantum correction to the time dilation observed by a clock moving in a superposition of localized momentum wave packets that has the potential to be observed in experiment. The Helstrom-Holevo lower bound is used to derive a proper time-energy/mass uncertainty relation.

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Alexander R. H. Smith, Mehdi Ahmadi. 2019-04-28. Quantum clocks observe classical and quantum time dilation. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-18264-4

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