Gourt Home::Gourt :: Penrose Interpretation
Penrose Interpretation is an interpretation of quantum mechanics formulated by Sir Roger Penrose. This theory is a possible step toward Quantum gravity, as it describes quantum mechanics in terms of General relativity. It states that a system requires energy to allow it to exist in more than one location. A macroscopic system, such as a human, connot exist in more than one position because its significant gravitational field requires it to have a large amount of energy to sustain, and will settle into one position within a trilionth of a second. However a microscopic system or particle (such as an electron) has an insignificant gravitational field, and therefore requires so little energy that it could exist in more than one location almost indefinitly; This is called superposition.
In Einstein's theory, any object that has mass causes a warp in the structure of space and time round it. This warping produces the effect we experience as gravity. Penrose points out that tiny objects-dust specks, atoms, electrons-produce space-time warps as well. Ignoring these warps is where most physicists go awry, he believes. If a dust speck is in two locations at the same time, each one should create its own distortions in space-time, yielding two superposed gravitational fields. According to Penrose's theory, it takes energy to sustain these dual fields. The stability of a system depends on the amount of energy involved: The higher the energy required to sustain a system, the less stable it is. Over time, an unstable system tends to settle back to its simplest, lowest-energy state-in this case, one object in one location producing one gravitational field. If Penrose is right, gravity yanks objects back into a single location, without any need to invoke observers or parallel universes.
Penrose believes that the transition between macroscopic and quantum begins on the scale of dust particles, that could exist in more than one location for as long as one second (a very long time compared to larger objects). An experiment has been developed to test this theory, in which a X-ray laser in space is directed toward a tiny mirror , and fissioned by a beam spliter from thousands of miles away, in which the photons are directed toward to other mirrors and reflected back. According to modern physics one photon will stike the tiny mirror moving en route to another mirror and move the tiny mirror back as it returns, so the tiny mirror exists in two location at one time. If gravity affects the mirror, it will be unable to exist in two locations at once because gravity holds it in place.
However, this expirement would be difficult to set up, and a table-top version has been proposed instead, as shown in the example image to the right.
See also
References
- Folger, Tim. "If an Electron Can Be in 2 Places at Once, Why Can't I?" Discover. Vol. 25 No. 6 (June 2005). 32.
External links
"Penrose Interpretation"