Testing the quantum nature of gravity through interferometry

TL;DR

This paper proposes an interferometric method to test the quantum nature of gravity by detecting state-dependent effects predicted by semi-classical gravity, using squeezed light to achieve conclusive results within hours.

Contribution

It introduces a novel interferometric protocol leveraging SN self-gravity asymmetry and squeezed states to experimentally test semi-classical gravity theories.

Findings

3 hours of measurement suffices with 10 dB squeezing

The protocol can conclusively test SN theory at 1 Kelvin

Demonstrates feasibility of quantum gravity tests via interferometry

Abstract

We propose a Michelson-type interferometric protocol for testing the quantum nature of gravity through testing the phenomenology of semi-classical gravity theory, which predicts a state-dependent Schrodinger-Newton (SN) evolution of the test mass. The protocol's feature lies in utilizing the asymmetry of two interferometric arms induced by SN self-gravity to create cross-talk between the common and differential motion of the test masses. This cross-talk is imprinted as a clean binary signature in the correlation measurements of the interferometer's output light fields. Our results demonstrate that, when assisted by 10 dB squeezed input states, 3 hours of aggregated measurement data can provide sufficient signal-to-noise ratio to conclusively test the SN theory in 1 Kelvin environment. This shows the strong feasibility of using such interferometric protocols to test if gravity operates quantum-mechanically.