Published March 1, 2006 | Version v1
Journal article

The Gravitational Quantum Well

  • 1. Instituto Superior Tecnico, Departamento de Fisica, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon (Portugal)

Description

We discuss the implications of a model of noncommutative Quantum Mechanics where noncommutativity is extended to the phase space. We analyze how this model affects the problem of the two-dimensional gravitational quantum well and use the latest experimental results for the energy states of neutrons in the Earth's gravitational field to establish an upper bound on the fundamental momentum scale introduced by noncommutativity. We show that the configuration space noncommutativity has, in leading order, no effect on the problem and that in the context of the model, a correction to the presently accepted value of Planck's constant to 1 part in 1024 arises. We also study the transition between quantum and classical behaviour of particles in a gravitational quantum well and analyze how an increase in the particles mass turns the energy spectrum into a continuous one. We consider these effects and argue that they could be tested by through experiments with atoms and fullerene-type molecules

Availability note (English)

Available online at http://stacks.iop.org/1742-6596/33/118/jpconf6_33_011.pdf or at the Web site for the Journal of Physics. Conference Series (Online) (ISSN 1742-6596) http://www.iop.org/

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Journal of Physics. Conference Series (Online)
Journal Volume
33
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
p. 118-130
ISSN
1742-6596

Conference

Title
4. meeting on constrained dynamics and quantum gravity
Dates
2-16 Sep 2005
Place
Sardinia (Italy)

INIS

Country of Publication
United Kingdom
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
37058812
Subject category
S72: PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS;
Resource subtype / Literary indicator
Conference
Descriptors DEI
ATOMS; COMMUTATION RELATIONS; CORRECTIONS; ENERGY SPECTRA; FULLERENES; GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS; MASS; MOLECULES; NEUTRONS; PHASE SPACE; QUANTUM MECHANICS; QUANTUM WELLS; TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
Descriptors DEC
BARYONS; CARBON; ELEMENTARY PARTICLES; ELEMENTS; FERMIONS; HADRONS; MATHEMATICAL SPACE; MECHANICS; NANOSTRUCTURES; NONMETALS; NUCLEONS; SPACE; SPECTRA