Possible daily and seasonal variations in quantum interference induced by Chern-Simons gravity

TL;DR

This paper predicts daily and seasonal variations in quantum interference caused by Chern-Simons gravity, suggesting that neutron interferometry could detect or constrain these effects with current technology.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that Chern-Simons gravity effects on quantum interferometers vary with Earth's position and orientation, providing a new way to test gravity theories.

Findings

Daily and seasonal phase shift variations are predicted.

Estimated effects are comparable to measurements from Gravity Probe B.

Neutron interferometry could set bounds on Chern-Simons parameters.

Abstract

Possible effects of Chern-Simons (CS) gravity on a quantum interferometer turn out to be dependent on the latitude and direction of the interferometer on the Earth in orbital motion around the Sun. Daily and seasonal variations in phase shifts are predicted with an estimate of the size of the effects, wherefore neutron interferometry with $\sim 5$ meters arm length and $\sim 10^{-4}$ phase measurement accuracy would place a bound on a CS parameter comparable to Gravity Probe B satellite.