Quantum Information Tools for Gravity

Abstract

This course explores how quantum information can provide useful tools to answer fundamental questions arising when combining quantum theory and gravity, in particular those related to the lack of a classical spacetime structure.

Objective

By the end of the course students are familiar with the mathematical formulation of physics in the weak-field regime of the gravitational field (e.g. linearized quantum gravity, quantum clocks in the gravitational field), with relational approaches to quantum theory such as Page-Wootters and quantum reference frames, and with basic quantum information tools (e.g. theory-independent operational methods, quantum communication protocols and relevant theorems). They are able to adapt and apply these concepts and methods to solve problems in this area. They are also aware of some of the open research questions in the field.

Content

Topics will include the quantum description of gravity at low energies and recent proposals to test the gravitational field of a quantum source, indefinite causality, quantum clocks, the Page-Wootters formalism, and quantum reference frames. Voraussetzungen: The students should have taken General Relativity prior to this course. The course is complementary to the course Quantum Information Theory. QIT could be taken concurrently.

Resources