Spin-gravity coupling and gravity-induced quantum phases

TL;DR

This paper explores how gravitational fields influence quantum particles by inducing phase shifts in their wave functions, emphasizing the role of spin-gravity coupling in quantum and gravitational interactions.

Contribution

It provides a covariant, gauge-invariant framework for analyzing gravity-induced quantum phases and discusses the significance of spin-gravity coupling in various physical scenarios.

Findings

Exact first-order phase factors in gravitational fields

Covariant and gauge-invariant formulation of quantum phases

Insights into spin-gravity coupling effects

Abstract

External gravitational fields induce phase factors in the wave functions of particles. The phases are exact to first order in the background gravitational field, are manifestly covariant and gauge invariant and provide a useful tool for the study of spin-gravity coupling and of the optics of particles in gravitational or inertial fields. We discuss the role that spin-gravity coupling plays in particular problems.