Quantum Decoherence as a Covariant Effective Source of Curvature: A Minimal EFT Mediator

Quantum Decoherence as a Covariant Effective Source of Curvature: A Minimal EFT Mediator | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Quantum Decoherence as a Covariant Effective Source of Curvature: A Minimal EFT Mediator Matías Alfredo Gacitúa Ruiz This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7863096/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract We propose a covariant effective-field framework in which spacetime curvature acquires a small contributionsourced by universal quantum decoherence. Matter–radiation interactions are modeled at the reduced level bya local Gorini-Kossakowski-Sudarshan-Lindblad (GKSL) dynamics with a Lorentz-scalar rate Gamma(x), ensuringcomplete positivity, trace preservation, and no superluminal signalling at the level of reduced dynamics. Weintroduce a single mediator—the coherence field C(x)—that couples to a decoherence source sigma(x) and augmentsEinstein’s equations through a well-behaved stress-energy T^{(C)}_{mu nu}. The action-based formulation yields theC-field equation Box C - V'(C) = -kappa sigma(x) with a stable potential, admits clear limits (recovering GR andstandard QM when kappa, Gamma -> 0 and C ~ const.), and predicts only Planck-suppressed, Yukawa-like correctionscompatible with existing bounds. We outline a two-stage validation strategy combining open-system simulations forGamma-driven coherence decay with finite-difference integration of the C dynamics, enabling parameter scans andconsistency checks. The construction is deliberately minimal, technically conservative, and conceptually transparent:it links information loss to geometric response without modifying the axioms of GR or QM, providing falsifiabletargets for laboratory and cosmological tests. Order-of-magnitude estimates indicate |R_eff| ~ 10^-60–10^-40 m^-2for plausible Gamma and Planck-suppressed couplings, consistent with current short-range bounds while remainingtestable as precision improves. decoherence effective gravity open quantum systems emergent geometry semiclassical/stochastic gravity numerical validation Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files decoherencecurvaturev1.1.0.zip Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Matter–radiation interactions are modeled at the reduced level bya local Gorini-Kossakowski-Sudarshan-Lindblad (GKSL) dynamics with a Lorentz-scalar rate Gamma(x), ensuringcomplete positivity, trace preservation, and no superluminal signalling at the level of reduced dynamics. Weintroduce a single mediator—the coherence field C(x)—that couples to a decoherence source sigma(x) and augmentsEinstein’s equations through a well-behaved stress-energy T^{(C)}_{mu nu}. The action-based formulation yields theC-field equation Box C - V'(C) = -kappa sigma(x) with a stable potential, admits clear limits (recovering GR andstandard QM when kappa, Gamma -\u003e 0 and C ~ const.), and predicts only Planck-suppressed, Yukawa-like correctionscompatible with existing bounds. We outline a two-stage validation strategy combining open-system simulations forGamma-driven coherence decay with finite-difference integration of the C dynamics, enabling parameter scans andconsistency checks. The construction is deliberately minimal, technically conservative, and conceptually transparent:it links information loss to geometric response without modifying the axioms of GR or QM, providing falsifiabletargets for laboratory and cosmological tests. 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