# Photon bunching in a rotating reference frame

## TL;DR

This paper investigates how uniform rotation affects quantum interference, specifically Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, revealing that rotation induces a measurable delay in photon arrival times, bridging quantum mechanics and relativity.

## Contribution

It presents the first experimental demonstration of photon bunching behavior in a rotating frame, showing rotation-induced delays in quantum interference patterns.

## Key findings

- Rotation causes a shift in the HOM dip position.
- Experimental results match theoretical predictions.
- Potential for satellite-based quantum tests in relativistic regimes.

## Abstract

Although quantum physics is well understood in inertial reference frames (flat spacetime), a current challenge is the search for experimental evidence of non-trivial or unexpected behaviour of quantum systems in non-inertial frames. Here, we present a novel test of quantum mechanics in a non-inertial reference frame: we consider Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) interference on a rotating platform and study the effect of uniform rotation on the distinguishability of the photons. Both theory and experiments show that the rotational motion induces a relative delay in the photon arrival times at the exit beamsplitter and that this delay is observed as a shift in the position of the HOM dip. This experiment can be extended to a full general relativistic test of quantum physics using satellites in Earth orbit and indicates a new route towards the use of photonic technologies for investigating quantum mechanics at the interface with relativity.