Quantum Limitations on the Measurement of Gravitational Fields

Abstract

By means of the analogy that exists between the gravitational field, in the weak, quasi-static case, and the electromagnetic field, uncertainty relations are obtained for the average values of some of the Christoffel symbols measured in two domains, similar to those for the components of the quantized electromagnetic field. Furthermore, it is shown that there exists a limitation on the accuracy to which the average value of a single one of these Christoffel symbols can be measured. The existence of uncertainty relations provides an argument in support of the standpoint that the gravitational field must be quantized.