Non-Reciprocity in Photon Polarization based on direction of polarizer under Gravitational Fields

TL;DR

This paper proposes that non-reciprocity in photon polarization, influenced by the direction of the polarizer, can significantly enhance gravitational effects on polarization, offering new ways to test gravity-quantum interactions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism of non-reciprocity in photon polarization based on polarizer orientation, with potential applications in astrophysical tests of gravity and quantum mechanics.

Findings

Non-reciprocity can amplify polarization rotation by ten times in gravitational fields.

Tailored polarizer axes can induce significant polarization effects in satellite interferometers.

The effect is applicable in both near-Earth and black hole environments.

Abstract

Unification of gravity with quantum mechanics is still a terra incognita. Photon polarization measurements offer a unique window for probing the interaction between these two fundamental forces. We have revealed that non-reciprocity in the photon polarization angle can arise by tailoring the quantization axis, which corresponds to the direction of polarizer. Due to this non-reciprocity, the measured polarization angle can become ten times larger than that of gravitationally induced frame rotation in both near-Earth and black hole environments. To verify this finding, we propose an astronomical interferometer composed of satellites with the tailored quantization axis, challenging the conventional view of their triviality in closed paths of a photon. Notably, this non-reciprocity can extend to any rotation in the polarization plane, irrespective of the origins, all of which can dictate polarization rotation. Our findings could offer new opportunities for testing fundamental principles in physics.