Particles confined in a double-well potential and coupled through their mutual Newtonian gravitational interaction have been investigated by Mostafa Mansour and Mansoura Oumennana of the Hassan II University. Non-classical correlations are characterised using Bures distance of entanglement and quantum discord. Coherence is quantified through the square root of the quantum Jensen-Shannon divergence (QJSD) from the maximally mixed state, yielding a measure invariant under arbitrary unitary transformations and genuinely basis-independent.
Total coherence CT decomposes into two operationally distinct contributions: collective coherence CC, which captures quantum correlations between the two subsystems, and localised coherence CL, which captures the intrinsic quantum coherence of each individual subsystem. Temperature T, the gravitational coupling Δ, and the single-particle energy influence these quantum properties.
Gravitational coupling amplifies interparticle coherence and reveals stable localised quantum states
Collective coherence increased approximately threefold via gravitational coupling, transforming it from a negligible value to a clearly measurable quantity, as demonstrated by researchers at Hassan II University. This enhancement surpasses previous limitations preventing the observation of strong inter-particle correlations in macroscopic quantum systems. Analysing how temperature and gravitational force redistribute quantum coherence between collective and localised forms within two massive particles enabled this achievement.
The localised coherence component, representing intrinsic quantum properties within each particle, proved more durable to thermal fluctuations than the collective coherence. This indicates a fundamental stability in the individual quantum states despite temperature variations, with the degree of this durability quantified using the square root of the quantum Jensen, Shannon divergence, revealing a distinction in how each coherence type responds to disturbance.
Furthermore, analysis of the Bures distance, a metric for quantifying entanglement, showed a consistent reduction in the distance between the particles as gravitational coupling increased, indicating stronger quantum correlations across a range of energy scales for the individual particles.
Total coherence decomposes into two distinct forms: coherence arising from connections between particles, and coherence inherent within each particle itself. Fully quantifying this decomposition relies on defining a parameter, ‘d’, within the maximally mixed state used as a reference point, a value the researchers acknowledge remains unspecified in their analysis. The team has established a valuable framework for understanding how gravity influences quantum systems, separating coherence into inter-particle connections and intrinsic properties.
Localised coherence proves more resilient to temperature changes, offering potential advantages for maintaining quantum information, a key distinction. Identifying how gravitational forces strengthen these connections provides insight for future quantum technology designs, even with this remaining refinement. LMHEP, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco.
Their analysis decomposes total coherence, a key resource for emerging quantum technologies, into components originating from connections between particles and those intrinsic to each particle individually. This decomposition reveals a fundamental asymmetry; localised coherence, representing the inherent quantum properties of individual particles, demonstrably withstands thermal disturbance more effectively than coherence arising from inter-particle correlations.
Quantifying this differential durability provides a new, observer-independent perspective on quantum behaviour, moving beyond traditional basis-dependent measures. The implications of this finding are significant, suggesting that gravitational interactions preferentially amplify the connections between particles while localised coherence remains stable even with increased thermal disturbance.
Distinguishing inter-particle and intrinsic coherence clarifies gravitational impacts on quantum
The researchers have refined our understanding of how quantum coherence, a key ingredient for technologies like quantum computing, behaves in systems interacting via gravity. This decomposition will begin to inform designs for durable quantum technologies, offering potential advantages for maintaining quantum information and aiding future quantum information storage. A more complete understanding of these interactions will be crucial for developing robust quantum systems.
The research demonstrated that total coherence decomposes into collective coherence, arising from inter-particle correlations, and localised coherence, intrinsic to individual particles. Increasing the gravitational coupling between the two particles preferentially enhanced collective coherence, strengthening inter-particle correlations. The team intends to further refine this understanding of coherence distribution within gravitationally interacting systems.
👉 More information
🗞 Quantum correlations and Basis-Independent Coherence Distribution in Two Gravitational Cat States
✍️ Mostafa Mansour1, ∗and Mansoura Oumennana1, †
🧠 ArXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.13493
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