Modifications of Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle Motivated by Quantum Gravity

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Department of Physics and Astronomy

Presents

 

Matthew Robbins

University of Lethbridge

Undergraduate Presentation
Thursday February 12th, 2015

1:40 pm, Room C640, U Hall

Abstract:

.

As it is currently not possible to access the natural energy scale of quantum gravity (the Planck scale), it is important to look for low-energy effects, e.g. the quantum gravity induced perturbative corrections to non-relativistic quantum mechanics. One such avenue of approach is studying the corrections to the Schrödinger equation via the Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP) proposed in various candidate theories of quantum gravity. It postulates that ћ is no longer constant; rather, it is a function of the momentum.

This talk will be given at an undergraduate level, and I will provide background on phase space quantum mechanics. The GUP corrections to the simple harmonic oscillator in phase space will then be shown by way of the Wigner function. These GUP-modified Wigner functions will be compared to the Wigner functions corresponding to the simple harmonic oscillator that was learned in a second-year quantum mechanics course. I will also note that there may be observational consequences.

 

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Room or Area: 
C640

Contact:

Catherine Drenth | catherine.drenth@uleth.ca

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