Low frequency gravitational waves emerge Berry phase

TL;DR

This paper proposes a quantum detector model that utilizes Berry phase to detect low frequency gravitational waves, offering a potential new method for observing these elusive signals in astrophysics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel quantum detector scheme that leverages Berry phase induced by low frequency GWs for detection, expanding the tools available in gravitational wave astronomy.

Findings

Interaction with low frequency GWs induces a geometric phase in the detector's quantum state.

The geometric phase can be controlled by tuning the external harmonic potential.

The model suggests a new approach for detecting very small frequency GWs.

Abstract

The detection of low frequency gravitational waves (LFGWs) astronomy has marked an advent of new era in the domain of astrophysics and general relativity. Using the framework of interaction between GWs and a point two-particles like detector, within linearized gravity approach, we propose a toy detector model whose quantum state is being investigated at a low-frequency of GWs. The detector is in simultaneous interaction with GWs and an external time-dependent (tuneable) two-dimensional harmonic potential. We observe that the interaction with low frequency GWs naturally provides adiabatic approximation in the calculation, and thereby can lead to a quantal geometric phase in the quantum states of the detector. Moreover this can be controlled by tuning the frequency of the external harmonic potential trap. We argue that such geometric phase detection may serve as a manifestation of the footprint of GWs. More importantly, our theoretical model may be capable of providing a layout for the detection of very small frequency GWs through Berry phase.