Physicist Ben Koch Unveils "q-Desics" Framework: A Quantum Leap in Understanding Particle Motion in Quantum Gravity

Vienna, Austria - In a recent seminar hosted by IQOQI Vienna, physicist Ben Koch presented groundbreaking research advancing the interface of quantum gravity and classical general relativity. Koch introduced the concept of "q-desics," quantum-corrected analogs of classical geodesics, developed with collaborators Anel Rinkon and Ali Vahin.

This new theoretical tool enables a refined description of particle motion in quantum-gravitational backgrounds by basing calculations on the expectation value of quantum operators such as the affine connection operator instead of just the spacetime metric. Koch’s framework captures richer geometric information and demonstrates significant quantum corrections for both lightlike radial and circular particle motions, observable far above the Planck scale.

Key highlights included an accessible breakdown of quantum gravity’s theoretical and experimental challenges, an innovative use of the "triangle of everything" to visualize the quantum-gravitational regime, and crucial discussions on how cosmological constants affect observable phenomena. Koch suggests that quantum gravity may be closer to observation than previously expected, and that q-desics might provide new routes for testing and probing quantum effects in astrophysical systems, potentially impacting our understanding of galactic rotation curves.

Concluding, Koch outlined ongoing work to generalize these results to non-spherically symmetric systems and deeper connections with core GR principles like the equivalence principle, anticipating substantial progress in experimental validation.

Reference/Source:

Ben Koch: "q-Desics - Particle motion in quantum gravity", IQOQI Vienna Seminar, November 5, 2025