A blueprint for a simultaneous test of quantum mechanics and general relativity in a space-based quantum optics experiment

TL;DR

This paper proposes a space-based quantum optics experiment using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to observe general relativistic effects on single photon interference, aiming to test quantum mechanics and general relativity simultaneously.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental setup combining quantum optics and general relativity in space, with detailed feasibility analysis using current technology.

Findings

Feasibility analysis shows current tech can implement the experiment.

Design effectively isolates general relativistic effects on photon interference.

Potential to observe relativistic time dilation effects on quantum states.

Abstract

In this paper we propose an experiment designed to observe a general-relativistic effect on single photon interference. The experiment consists of a folded Mach-Zehnder interferometer, with the arms distributed between a single Earth orbiter and a ground station. By compensating for other degrees of freedom and the motion of the orbiter, this setup aims to detect the influence of general relativistic time dilation on a spatially superposed single photon. The proposal details a payload to measure the required effect, along with an extensive feasibility analysis given current technological capabilities.