IIT Guwahati Researcher Cracks Quantum Aspects of Gravity in Landmark Study

IIT Guwahati and University of Stellenbosch researchers are exploring the quantum nature of gravity, a mystery with wide-reaching implications in physics. Know details here

IIT Guwahati Researcher Cracks Quantum Aspects of Gravity in Landmark Study

In a collaboration, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati and the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa are tackling one of physics' deepest enigmas: the quantum nature of gravity. Led by Dr. Bibhas Ranjan Majhi, Associate Professor at IIT Guwahati's Department of Physics, and Dr. Partha Nandi from the University of Stellenbosch, the research centres on gravity-induced entanglement (GIE).

This phenomenon holds the potential to unite two fundamental pillars of modern science - general relativity and quantum mechanics. Their work seeks to unravel how gravity operates at the atomic and subatomic scales, where traditional theories begin to break down. The findings of this research have been published in the prestigious journal Physics Letters B.

Dr. Majhi and Dr. Nandi's research introduces a novel perspective by exploring how gravity might give rise to entanglement - a quantum phenomenon where two particles become interconnected, so that the state of one influences the other, no matter how far apart they are. The concept of gravity-induced entanglement suggests that, under specific conditions, gravitational forces could generate this quantum link, potentially uncovering a quantum dimension of gravity.

Discussing the research, Dr. Majhi explained, "We have developed a theoretical framework that connects a two-dimensional quantum harmonic oscillator with gravitational waves - ripples in space-time caused by massive objects like black holes. This approach bypasses the limitations of classical communication methods and explores whether quantized gravitational waves can induce entanglement. Our findings show that while classical gravitational waves do not generate entanglement, the quantum version of these waves does, at the second order of gravitational perturbation."

This research has far-reaching implications. If gravity-induced entanglement can be detected using gravitational wave detectors, it could provide the first evidence that gravity operates at a quantum level. Such a discovery could unlock other cosmic mysteries, such as the nature of dark matter and dark energy - two enigmatic components that make up most of the universe but are still poorly understood.

Read More

• IIT Guwahati Introduces Major Reforms After Student Suicides: New Attendance Policy and Flexible Exams
• IIT Guwahati and Airbus Partner to Boost Aviation and Logistics Training in Northeast India