When Quantum Systems Source Gravity: How Can We Do Physics Without Spacetime?

Dr. Flaminia Giacomini, SNSF Ambizione Fellow at ETHZ


Spacetime is ubiquitous and is at the foundation of all our physical theories. At the interface between quantum theory and gravity, however, the classical notion of spacetime is no longer adequate to capture the description of physical systems. To date, we still do not know which structure could replace spacetime when gravity acquires quantum features. In my talk, I will argue that progress on this question can be made in the regime of so-called “gravitating quantum systems”, namely sources of gravity prepared, for instance, in a quantum superposition of positions. These considerations inspire a bottom-up approach that uses quantum information tools. I will focus on the conceptual consequences of considering both quantum and gravitational effects in concrete physical situations, e.g. when reference frames are associated to quantum systems.


Recording

There will be a live stream and a recording.