Looking for the quantum aspects of gravity in the gravitational Aharonov-Bohm experiment

TL;DR

This paper develops a quantum theoretical framework for the gravitational Aharonov-Bohm effect, aiming to uncover quantum features of gravity and guide future experimental detection of gravitons.

Contribution

It extends classical models to a fully quantum description of the gravitational AB effect, incorporating graviton interactions and quantum coherence.

Findings

Derived a quantum gravitational AB phase consistent with classical predictions

Revealed quantum entanglement and coherence effects in weak gravitational fields

Provided a basis for indirect graviton detection through phase measurements

Abstract

The detection of quantum aspects of gravity remains one of the most elusive challenges in modern physics. In this paper, we develop a comprehensive theoretical framework for the gravitational Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect, extending previous classical models to a fully quantum description. By quantizing the gravitational field and modeling its interaction with atomic states, we derive a formulation for the gravitational AB phase mediated by gravitons. This framework uncovers key insights into the entanglement dynamics and coherence properties of quantum systems in weak gravitational fields. Our analysis suggests that the derived gravitational AB phase is consistent with classical predictions but reveals subtle quantum features, providing a robust basis for exploring the quantum nature of perturbative gravity. These findings offer a conceptual pathway for indirect detection of gravitons, enriching our understanding of gravity's quantum underpinnings.