Quanta Magazine · Science

Holographic Principle: Gravity and Quantum Mechanics Linked

The holographic principle suggests gravity and quantum mechanics are connected, implying a region's volume can be described by its surface area. This is supported by black hole entropy scaling with surface area.

The principle states a space's contents can be known from its surface, like a 3D object from a 2D image. Gravity's positive mass property aids this, unlike electromagnetism's cancelling charges.

The AdS/CFT correspondence mathematically links gravity in anti-de Sitter space to a quantum field theory on its boundary, showing their fundamental connection.

While rigorous for anti-de Sitter space, its application to our universe's de Sitter space is debated, though local holographic properties might still exist.

Interpretations vary: the quantum surface, the gravitational volume, or both could be approximations of a deeper theory. 'It from qubit' suggests reality is built from quantum information.

One view sees the 3D universe as an illusion, with reality being a 2D surface, like screen pixels. This alters the concept of spatial separation.

Another view holds the 3D volume is real, with holography being a mathematical tool. A third possibility is that both are incomplete descriptions of a more fundamental theory.

Current research explores radical holographic models for de Sitter space, potentially involving quantum points rather than surfaces, hinting at a timeless origin for reality.

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