arXiv · 1412.2440
Post-Newtonian gravitational effects in quantum interferometry
Abstract
We investigate general properties of optical interferometry in stationary spacetimes and apply the obtained results focusing on quantum-optical experiments in near-Earth environments. We provide a rigorous expression for the {gravitationally induced} phase difference and adapt the parametrized post-Newtonian formalism for calculations of polarization rotation. We investigate two optical versions of the Colella-Overhauser-Werner experiment and show that the phase difference is independent of the post-Newtonian parameter $\gamma$, making it a possible candidate for an optical test of the Einstein equivalence principle. Polarization rotation provides an example of the quantum clock variable, and while related to the optical Lense-Thirring effects, shows a qualitatively different behaviour.
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Aharon Brodutch, Alexei Gilchrist, Thomas Guff, Alexander R. H. Smith, Daniel R. Terno. 2014-12-08. Post-Newtonian gravitational effects in quantum interferometry. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.91.064041
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