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S. Hossenfelder

Publications and source records attributed to S. Hossenfelder.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2022

Properties of Invariant Set Theory

In a recent paper (arXiv:2107.04761), Sen critiques a superdeterministic model of quantum physics, Invariant Set Theory, proposed by one of the authors. He concludes that superdeterminism is `unlikely to solve the puzzle posed by the Bell correlations'. He also claims that the model is neither local nor $ψ$-epistemic. We here detail multiple inaccuracies with Sen's arguments - notably that the hidden-variable model of quantum physics he uses to critique Invariant Set Theory bares no relation to Invariant Set Theory - and use this opportunity to lay out the properties of Invariant Set Theory as clearly as possible.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2019

Rethinking Superdeterminism

Quantum mechanics has irked physicists ever since its conception more than 100 years ago. While some of the misgivings, such as it being unintuitive, are merely aesthetic, quantum mechanics has one serious shortcoming: it lacks a physical description of the measurement process. This "measurement problem" indicates that quantum mechanics is at least an incomplete theory -- good as far as it goes, but missing a piece -- or, more radically, is in need of complete overhaul. Here we describe an approach which may provide this sought-for completion or replacement: Superdeterminism. A superdeterministic theory is one which violates the assumption of Statistical Independence (that distributions of hidden variables are independent of measurement settings). Intuition suggests that Statistical Independence is an essential ingredient of any theory of science (never mind physics), and for this reason Superdeterminism is typically discarded swiftly in any discussion of quantum foundations. The purpose of this paper is to explain why the existing objections to Superdeterminism are based on experience with classical physics and linear systems, but that this experience misleads us. Superdeterminism is a promising approach not only to solve the measurement problem, but also to understand the apparent nonlocality of quantum physics. Most importantly, we will discuss how it may be possible to test this hypothesis in an (almost) model independent way.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2017

A Covariant Version of Verlinde's Emergent Gravity

A generally covariant version of Erik Verlinde's emergent gravity model is proposed. The Lagrangian constructed here allows an improved interpretation of the underlying mechanism. It suggests that de-Sitter space is filled with a vector-field that couples to baryonic matter and, by dragging on it, creates an effect similar to dark matter. We solve the covariant equation of motion in the background of a Schwarzschild space-time and obtain correction terms to the non-covariant expression. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the vector field can also mimic dark energy.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2016

Static Scalar Field Solutions in Symmetric Gravity

We derive a family of exact solutions for bi-metric gravity with an exchange symmetry between the two metrics. In this two-parameter family of solutions the gravitational field is sourced by a time-independent massless scalar field. We find that the only limit in which the scalar field entirely vanishes is flat space. The regular Schwarzschild-solution is left with a scalar field hidden in the second metric's sector.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2015

A relativistic acoustic metric for planar black holes

We demonstrate here that the metric of a planar black hole in asymptotic Anti-de Sitter space can, on a slice of dimension 3+1, be reproduced as a relativistic acoustic metric. This completes an earlier calculation in which the non-relativistic limit was used, and also serves to obtain a concrete form of the Lagrangian.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2015

Analog Systems for Gravity Duals

We show that analog gravity systems exist for charged, planar black holes in asymptotic Anti-de Sitter space. These black holes have been employed to describe, via the gauge-gravity duality, strongly coupled condensed matter systems on the boundary of AdS-space. The analog gravity system is a different condensed matter system that, in a suitable limit, describes the same bulk physics as the theory on the AdS boundary. This combination of the gauge-gravity duality and analog gravity therefore suggests a duality between different condensed matter systems.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2014

The remote Maxwell demon as energy down-converter

It is demonstrated that Maxwell's demon can be used to allow a machine to extract energy from a heat bath by use of information that is processed by the demon at a remote location. The model proposed here effectively replaces transmission of energy by transmission of information. For that we use a feedback protocol that enables a net gain by stimulating emission in selected fluctuations around thermal equilibrium. We estimate the down conversion rate and the efficiency of energy extraction from the heat bath.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2014

Disentangling the Black Hole Vacuum

We study the question whether disentanglement of Hawking radiation can be achieved with any local operation. We assume that the operation we look for is unitary and can be described by a Bogoliubov transformation. This allows to formulate requirements on the operation of disentanglement. We then show that these requirements can be fulfilled by a timelike boundary condition in the near-horizon area and that the local observer does not notice the presence of the boundary and does not encounter a firewall.

hep-th↗
arXiv2013

A possibility to solve the problems with quantizing gravity

It is generally believed that quantum gravity is necessary to resolve the known tensions between general relativity and the quantum field theories of the standard model. Since perturbatively quantized gravity is non-renormalizable, the problem how to unify all interactions in a common framework has been open since the 1930s. Here, I propose a possibility to circumvent the known problems with quantizing gravity, as well as the known problems with leaving it unquantized: By changing the prescription for second quantization, a perturbative quantization of gravity is sufficient as an effective theory because matter becomes classical before the perturbative expansion breaks down. This is achieved by considering the vanishing commutator between a field and its conjugated momentum as a symmetry that is broken at low temperatures, and by this generates the quantum phase that we currently live in, while at high temperatures Planck's constant goes to zero.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2009

The Box-Problem in Deformed Special Relativity

We examine the transformation of particle trajectories in models with deformations of Special Relativity that have an energy-dependent and observer-independent speed of light. These transformations necessarily imply that the notion of what constitutes the same space-time event becomes dependent on the observer's inertial frame. To preserve observer-independence, the such arising nonlocality should not be in conflict with our knowledge of particle interactions. This requirement allows us to derive strong bounds on deformations of Special Relativity and rule out a modification to first order in energy over the Planck mass.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2008

A Bi-Metric Theory with Exchange Symmetry

We propose an extension of General Relativity with two different metrics. To each metric we define a Levi-Cevita connection and a curvature tensor. We then consider two types of fields, each of which moves according to one of the metrics and its connection. To obtain the field equations for the second metric we impose an exchange symmetry on the action. As a consequence of this ansatz, additional source terms for Einstein's field equations are generated. We discuss the properties of these additional fields, and consider the examples of the Schwarzschild solution, and the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker metric.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2007

A Note on Quantum Field Theories with a Minimal Length Scale

The aim of this note is to address the low energy limit of quantum field theories with a minimal length scale. The essential feature of these models is that the minimal length acts as a regulator in the asymptotic high energy limit which is incorporated through an infinite series of higher order derivatives. If one investigates a perturbative expansion in inverse powers of the Planck mass, one generically obtains extra poles in the propagator, and instabilities connected with the higher order derivative Lagrangian, that are however artifacts of truncating the series.

hep-th↗
arXiv2007

Deformed Special Relativity in Position Space

We investigate how deformations of special relativity in momentum space can be extended to position space in a consistent way, such that the dimensionless contraction between wave-vector and coordinate-vector remains invariant. By using a parametrization in terms of an energy dependent speed of light, and an energy dependent Planck's constant, we are able to formulate simple requirements that completely determine the active transformations in position space. These deviate from the standard transformations for large velocities of the observed object. Some examples are discussed, and it is shown how the relativistic mass gain of a massive particle is affected. We finally study the construction of passive Lorentz-transformations.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2007

Multi-Particle States in Deformed Special Relativity

We investigate the properties of multi-particle states in Deformed Special Relativity (DSR). Starting from the Lagrangian formalism with an energy dependent metric, the conserved Noether current can be derived which is additive in the usual way. The integrated Noether current had previously been discarded as a conserved quantity, because it was correctly realized that it does no longer obey the DSR transformations. We identify the reason for this mismatch in the fact that DSR depends only on the extensive quantity of total four-momentum instead of the energy-momentum densities as would be appropriate for a field theory. We argue that the reason for the failure of DSR to reproduce the standard transformation behavior in the well established limits is due to the missing sensitivity to the volume inside which energy is accumulated. We show that the soccer-ball problem is absent if one formulates DSR instead for the field densities. As a consequence, estimates for predicted effects have to be corrected by many orders of magnitude. Further, we derive that the modified quantum field theory implies a locality bound.

hep-th↗
arXiv2006

Phenomenological Quantum Gravity

Planck scale physics represents a future challenge, located between particle physics and general relativity. The Planck scale marks a threshold beyond which the old description of spacetime breaks down and conceptually new phenomena must appear. In the last years, increased efforts have been made to examine the phenomenology of quantum gravity, even if the full theory is still unknown.

hep-th↗
arXiv2006

Interpretation of Quantum Field Theories with a Minimal Length Scale

It has been proposed that the incorporation of an observer independent minimal length scale into the quantum field theories of the standard model effectively describes phenomenological aspects of quantum gravity. The aim of this paper is to interpret this description and its implications for scattering processes.

hep-th↗
arXiv2006

Cosmological Consequences of Anti-gravitation

The dynamics of a universe with an anti-gravitating contribution to the matter content is examined. The modified Friedmann equations are derived, and it is shown that anti-gravitating radiation is the slowest component to dilute when the universe expands. Assuming an interaction between both kinds of matter which becomes important at Planckian densities, it is found that the universe undergoes a periodic cycle of contraction and expansion. Furthermore, the possibility of energy loss in our universe through separation of both types of matter is discussed.

gr-qc↗