Does Cosmology require Hermiticity in Quantum Mechanics?

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2602.05973v1
• Date: Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:24:49 GMT
• Title: Does Cosmology require Hermiticity in Quantum Mechanics?
• Authors: Oem Trivedi, Alfredo Gurrola,
• Abstract summary: We show how anti Hermitian contributions propagate into both early universe primordial fluctuations and late-time structure growth.<n>Our results establish cosmology as a novel arena for testing foundational aspects of quantum mechanics.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: We explore the consequences of allowing non-Hermitian structures in quantum cosmology by extending the Wheeler DeWitt framework beyond strictly Hermitian dynamics. Using a controlled semiclassical reduction, we show how anti Hermitian contributions propagate into both early universe primordial fluctuations and late-time structure growth as effective damping or gain terms. Confronting this framework with inflationary observables, growth of structure and the observed near flatness of the universe, we derive strong infrared constraints that suppress non Hermiticity across cosmic history. We demonstrate that these bounds are mutually consistent between early and late-time probes and can be partially relaxed in theories beyond General Relativity. Our results establish cosmology as a novel arena for testing foundational aspects of quantum mechanics and suggest that Hermiticity may emerge dynamically along the semiclassical branch describing our universe.

Related papers

• On the Emergence of Time and Space in Closed Quantum Systems [0.0]
  We study how entanglement can be at the basis of the emergence of time and space within closed quantum systems.<n>We provide a model of 3+1 dimensional, quantum spacetime emerging from entanglement among different subsystems in a globally "timeless" and "positionless" Universe.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-12-08T23:58:11Z)
• A quasi-particle picture for entanglement cones and horizons in analogue cosmology [45.88028371034407]
  We study the appearance of scalar and pseudo-scalar condensates for self-interacting Dirac fermions.<n>We show that the combined breakdown of time-reversal symmetry due to the expanding spacetime, and parity due to a pseudo-scalar condensate, manifests through the structure of the light-cone-like propagation of entanglement.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-03-24T22:20:16Z)
• Algebraic Observational Cosmology [0.0]
  We construct an algebra of gravitationally-dressed observables accessible to a comoving observer in FLRW spacetimes. An essential quantized degree of freedom is the zero-mode of the inflaton. Due to the inaccessibility of measurements beyond our cosmological horizon, we demonstrate that all states are mixed with well-defined von Neumann entropy.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-06-03T18:00:00Z)
• The Early Universe as an Open Quantum System: Complexity and Decoherence [0.23436632098950458]
  We show how complexity in an open quantum system can identify decoherence between two fields, even in the presence of an accelerating background. This paper initiates a new pathway to explore the features of quantum complexity in an accelerating background, thereby expanding our understanding of the evolution of primordial cosmological perturbations in the early universe.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-01-22T17:18:50Z)
• Observations in Quantum Cosmology [0.0]
  We look at whether a canonical quantization of general relativity can produce testable predictions for cosmology. In particular, we examine how this approach can be used to model the evolution of primordial perturbations. We conclude that the subject of quantum geometrodynamics illuminates conceptual issues in quantum gravitation.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-06-26T18:00:01Z)
• Fermion production at the boundary of an expanding universe: a cold-atom gravitational analogue [68.8204255655161]
  We study the phenomenon of cosmological particle production of Dirac fermions in a Friedman-Robertson-Walker spacetime. We present a scheme for the quantum simulation of this gravitational analogue by means of ultra-cold atoms in Raman optical lattices.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-12-02T18:28:23Z)
• The de Broglie-Bohm Quantum Theory and its Application to Quantum Cosmology [0.0]
  We review the de Broglie-Bohm quantum theory. It is an alternative description of quantum phenomena in accordance with all the quantum experiments already performed.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-11-04T17:59:20Z)
• Quantum realism: axiomatization and quantification [77.34726150561087]
  We build an axiomatization for quantum realism -- a notion of realism compatible with quantum theory. We explicitly construct some classes of entropic quantifiers that are shown to satisfy almost all of the proposed axioms.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-10-10T18:08:42Z)
• Observers of quantum systems cannot agree to disagree [55.41644538483948]
  We ask whether agreement between observers can serve as a physical principle that must hold for any theory of the world. We construct examples of (postquantum) no-signaling boxes where observers can agree to disagree.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-02-17T19:00:04Z)
• Analog cosmological reheating in an ultracold Bose gas [58.720142291102135]
  We quantum-simulate the reheating-like dynamics of a generic cosmological single-field model in an ultracold Bose gas. Expanding spacetime as well as the background oscillating inflaton field are mimicked in the non-relativistic limit. The proposed experiment has the potential of exploring the evolution up to late times even beyond the weak coupling regime.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-08-05T18:00:26Z)
• Preferred basis, decoherence and a quantum state of the Universe [77.34726150561087]
  We review a number of issues in foundations of quantum theory and quantum cosmology. These issues can be considered as a part of the scientific legacy of H.D. Zeh.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-06-28T18:07:59Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.