Scan Quantum Mechanics: Quantum Inertia Stops Superposition

• Published in: Universe
• Main Author: Beatriz Gato-Rivera
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
• Subjects: quantum superpositions; quantum measurement; quantum inertia; quantum-to-classical transition
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/11/2/58

Scan Quantum Mechanics (SQM) is a novel interpretation in which the superposition of states is only an approximate effective concept due to lack of time resolution. Quantum systems scan all possible states in the “apparent” superpositions and switch randomly and very rapidly among them. A crucial property that we postulate is quantum inertia <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mi>I</mi><mi>q</mi></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula>, that increases whenever a constituent is added, or the system is perturbed with all kinds of interactions. Once the quantum inertia reaches a critical value <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mi>I</mi><mrow><mi>c</mi><mi>r</mi></mrow></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula> for an observable, the switching among its eigenvalues stops and the corresponding superposition comes to an end. Consequently, increasing the quantum inertia of a quantum system by increasing its mass, its temperature, or the strength of the electric, magnetic and gravitational fields in its environment, can lead to the end of the superpositions for all the observables, the quantum system transmuting into a classical one, as a result. This process could be reversible, however, by decreasing the size of the system, its temperature, etc. SQM also implies a radiation mechanism from astrophysical objects with very strong gravitational fields that could contribute to neutron star formation. Future experiments might determine the critical quantum inertia <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mi>I</mi><mrow><mi>c</mi><mi>r</mi></mrow></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula> corresponding to different observables, which translates into critical masses, critical temperatures and critical electric, magnetic and gravitational fields.