Is spacetime made of tiny quantum pixels? New theories suggest so
New research suggests that spacetime may not be smooth and continuous but instead made up of tiny, discrete units—like pixels on a screen. This idea comes from theories such as loop quantum gravity (LQG) and quantum information science, which propose that the fabric of reality emerges from quantum threads and entanglement.
In loop quantum gravity, spacetime is built from fundamental 'quanta' of volume and area. These quanta, called spin networks, form a shifting lattice where their connections represent gravitational forces. At the Planck scale—around 1.6×10⁻³⁵ metres—spacetime would appear granular, not smooth, challenging classical physics.
These findings suggest that spacetime’s fundamental structure may arise from quantum entanglement and discrete units. The Planck scale remains key, as it marks where quantum gravity effects dominate. Further research could reshape our understanding of reality’s deepest workings.
