Post-Newtonian gravitational effects in quantum interferometry

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how gravitational effects influence quantum interferometry experiments near Earth, deriving phase differences and polarization effects, and proposing optical tests for general relativity principles.

Contribution

It provides a rigorous expression for gravitationally induced phase differences and adapts the parametrized post-Newtonian formalism for optical experiments in stationary spacetimes.

Findings

Phase difference is independent of the PPN parameter γ.

Optical experiments can test the Einstein equivalence principle.

Polarization rotation exhibits unique quantum clock behavior.

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.