Quantum Gravity Phenomenology: Insights and Advances

A special issue of Universe (ISSN 2218-1997). This special issue belongs to the section "Foundations of Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Gravity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1007

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry and Physics, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia 58397-000, Brazil
Interests: quantum gravity; modified gravity; non-Riemannian geometry; thermodynamics; quantum mechanics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The quantization of gravity remains one of physics’ great challenges, with competing models predicting subtle deviations from classical relativity at the Planck scale. These effects may be detectable through various astrophysical observations—time delays in gamma-ray bursts, spectral anomalies in high-energy photons and cosmic rays, deviations in neutrino oscillations, and modifications to gravitational wave propagation—all potential signatures of quantum spacetime.

Complementing these cosmic probes, laboratory experiments are achieving unprecedented sensitivity through optomechanical systems and high-precision interferometry. These investigations increasingly intersect with quantum information science, probing decoherence patterns, modified uncertainty relations, and nonlocal effects that may stem from spacetime discreteness or deformed symmetries. Tabletop quantum tests—particularly entanglement-based protocols and macroscopic superposition experiments—now offer viable pathways to explore Planck-scale phenomenology.

This Special Issue welcomes original research and review articles on quantum gravity phenomenology across all scales, from astrophysical tests using cosmic messengers to laboratory and accelerator-based searches.

Dr. Iarley P. Lobo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Lorentz invariance violation
  • generalized uncertainty principle
  • non-Riemannian geometries
  • entanglement
  • quantum correlations
  • ultraviolet/infrared mixing
  • multi-messenger astrophysics
  • quantum information

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 1865 KB  
Article
Bayesian Analysis of the Nexus Paradigm Predictions for Supermassive Black Hole Observations by the Event Horizon Telescope
by Stuart Marongwe, Moletlanyi Tshipa and Christian Corda
Universe 2025, 11(9), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe11090289 - 26 Aug 2025
Viewed by 469
Abstract
We present a Bayesian statistical analysis to evaluate the Nexus Paradigm (NP) of quantum gravity, using horizon-scale observations of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) and M87* from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). The NP predicts angular diameters for the dark [...] Read more.
We present a Bayesian statistical analysis to evaluate the Nexus Paradigm (NP) of quantum gravity, using horizon-scale observations of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) and M87* from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). The NP predicts angular diameters for the dark depression, emission ring, and base diameter, which we compare to EHT measurements. Employing Gaussian likelihoods and priors informed by mass-to-distance ratio uncertainties, we compute the posterior distribution for the angular scale parameter θg, achieving a combined χ20.0062 (four degrees of freedom) corresponding to a 4.37 σ (99.9972%) confidence level. Individual features show deviations <0.1 σ supporting the NP’s claim of 99th percentile agreement. Compared to General Relativity (GR), which predicts a shadow diameter inconsistent with the observed dark depression (χ2168, ~12.97 σ) the NP is favored with a Bayes factor of ~1036. These results validate the NP’s predictions and highlight its potential as a quantum gravity framework, though refined uncertainties and broader model comparisons are recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Gravity Phenomenology: Insights and Advances)
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16 pages, 332 KB  
Article
The Influence of Zero-Point Fluctuations on the Photon Wave Packet Motion in a Vacuum
by S. L. Cherkas and V. L. Kalashnikov
Universe 2025, 11(8), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe11080277 - 19 Aug 2025
Viewed by 256
Abstract
The influence of zero-point fluctuations on photon propagation in a vacuum is investigated without using normal ordering and renormalization procedures, but in a frame of the conformally unimodular metric for a description of the fluctuating gravitational field. The complete formula for decoherence time [...] Read more.
The influence of zero-point fluctuations on photon propagation in a vacuum is investigated without using normal ordering and renormalization procedures, but in a frame of the conformally unimodular metric for a description of the fluctuating gravitational field. The complete formula for decoherence time is presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Gravity Phenomenology: Insights and Advances)
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