Quantum aspects of the equivalence principle

G. Z. Adunas, Bety Rodriguez-Milla, Dharam Vir Ahluwalia

Yuri Bonder, Ephraim Fischbach, H. Hernández-Coronado +3 more

We develop a framework to test the equivalence principle under conditions where the quantum aspects of nature cannot be neglected, specifically in the context of interference phenomena with unstable particles. We derive the nonrelativistic quantum equation that describes the evolution of the wave function of unstable particles under the assumption of the validity of the equivalence principle and when small deviations are assumed to occur. As an example, we study the propagation of unstable particles in a COW experiment, and we briefly discuss the experimental implications of our formalism.

G. Rosi, Giulio D'Amico, L. Cacciapuoti +5 more

Abstract The Einstein equivalence principle (EEP) has a central role in the understanding of gravity and space–time. In its weak form, or weak equivalence principle (WEP), it directly implies equivalence between inertial and gravitational mass. Verifying this principle in a regime where the relevant properties of the test body must be described by quantum theory has profound implications. Here we report on a novel WEP test for atoms: a Bragg atom interferometer in a gravity gradiometer configuration compares the free fall of rubidium atoms prepared in two hyperfine states and in their coherent superposition. The use of the superposition state allows testing genuine quantum aspects of EEP with no classical analogue, which have remained completely unexplored so far. In addition, we measure the Eötvös ratio of atoms in two hyperfine levels with relative uncertainty in the low 10−9, improving previous results by almost two orders of magnitude.

А. V. Osipova

Etang Chen

A facial version of superposition principle is introduced in algebraic quantum theory; similar to the quantum logic approach it exhibits characteristic features of quantum theory. It is shown that any pair of primary states satisfy the superposition principle if and only if they are quasiequivalent. A coherent sector is then defined as a quasi-equivalent class of primary states, which holds for both pure states in quantum theory and pure thermodynamic phases in quantum statistical mechanics.

C. JAYARATNAM ELIEZER, P. G. L. Leach