Rigorous Comparison of Gravimetry Employing Atom Interferometers and the Measurement of Gravitational Time Dilation

TL;DR

This paper rigorously compares atom interferometry-based gravimetry with gravitational time dilation measurements, concluding they are not equivalent despite quantum similarities, due to fundamental differences in gravitational tests.

Contribution

It provides a clear, rigorous analysis demonstrating the fundamental differences between atom interferometry gravimetry and gravitational time dilation measurements.

Findings

Atom interferometry gravimetry is not equivalent to gravitational time dilation measurement.

Quantum states and clocks are related but differ in gravitational test contexts.

The paper clarifies misconceptions about quantum equivalence in gravimetry and time measurement.

Abstract

We present a gravitationally rigorous and clear answer, in the negative, to the question whether gravimetry with atom interferometers is equivalent to the the measurement of the relative gravitational time dilation of two clocks separated in space. Though matter and light waves, quantum states and oscillator clocks are quantum synonymous through the Planck-Einstein-de Broglie relations and the equivalence principle, there are crucial differences in the context of tests of gravitation theories.