Minimal Coupling and the Equivalence Principle in Quantum Mechanics

Abstract

The role of the Equivalence Principle (EP) in classical and quantum mechanics is reviewed. It is shown that the weak EP has a counterpart in quantum theory, a Quantum Equivalence Principle (QEP). This implies that also in the quantum domain the geometrisation of the gravitational interaction is an operational procedure similar to the procedure in classical physics. This QEP can be used for showing that it is only the usual Schr\"odinger equation coupled to gravito--inertial fields which obeys our equivalence principle. In addition, the QEP applied to a generalised Pauli equation including spin results in a characterisation of the gravitational fields which can be identified with the Newtonian potential and with torsion. Also, in the classical limit it is possible to state beside the usual EP for the path an EP for the spin which again may be used for introducing torsion as a gravitational field.