PIRSA:19040127

Delocalized quantum clocks and relativistic time dilation

Lock, M. (2019). Delocalized quantum clocks and relativistic time dilation. Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/19040127

Lock, Maximilian. Delocalized quantum clocks and relativistic time dilation. Perimeter Institute, Apr. 25, 2019, https://pirsa.org/19040127 

          @misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:19040127,
            doi = {10.48660/19040127},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/19040127},
            author = {Lock, Maximilian},
            keywords = {Quantum Foundations},
            language = {en},
            title = {Delocalized quantum clocks and relativistic time dilation},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2019},
            month = {apr},
            note = {PIRSA:19040127 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }

Maximilian Lock University of Vienna

DOI 10.48660/19040127
Collection
Talk Type Scientific Series
Subject

Abstract

The theory of relativity associates a proper time with each moving object via its spacetime trajectory. In quantum theory on the other hand, such trajectories are forbidden. I will discuss an operation approach to exploring this conflict, considering the average time measured by a quantum clock in the weak-field, low-velocity limit. Considering the role of the clock’s state of motion, one finds that all ``good'' quantum clocks experience the time dilation prescribed by general relativity for the most classical states of motion. For nonclassical states of motion, on the other hand, one finds that quantum interference effects give rise to a discrepancy between the proper time and the time measured by the clock. I will also describe how ignorance of the clock's state of motion leads to a larger uncertainty in the time as measured by the clock, a consequence of entanglement between the clock time and its center-of-mass degrees of freedom.