Atom-interferometer phase shear and spacetime sectional curvature

Chris Overstreet, Peter Asenbaum, Tim Kovachy +3 more

Michael Werner, Ali Lezeik, Dennis Schlippert +3 more

Werner, Michael, Ali Lezeik, Dennis Schlippert +3 more

Hunter Swan, Jason M. Hogan

Atom interferometry is a natural laboratory for precision tests of general relativity, but there is no simple relationship between atom interferometer phase and geometric properties of spacetime. Here we show that a different atom interferometer observable, the phase shear, can be expressed directly as the integrated sectional curvature over a spacetime surface enclosed by the interferometer arms and final beamsplitter. This is a consequence of a generalized Gauss-Bonnet theorem, which also explicitly computes small correction terms arising from gravitational redshift of atom optics pulses. This synthesis of quantum mechanics, relativity, and differential geometry affords a manifestly coordinate-free and representation-free means of measuring spacetime properties. Additionally, it provides a convenient computational tool for predicting atom interferometer properties in arbitrary background spacetimes.

Peter Asenbaum, Chris Overstreet, Tim Kovachy +3 more

Spacetime curvature induces tidal forces on the wave function of a single quantum system. Using a dual light-pulse atom interferometer, we measure a phase shift associated with such tidal forces. The macroscopic spatial superposition state in each interferometer (extending over 16 cm) acts as a nonlocal probe of the spacetime manifold. Additionally, we utilize the dual atom interferometer as a gradiometer for precise gravitational measurements.

Matt Jaffe, Holger Müller

Spacetime curvature induces tidal forces on the wave function of a single quantum system.Using a dual light-pulse atom interferometer, we measure a phase shift associated with such tidal forces.The macroscopic spatial superposition state in each interferometer (extending over 16 cm) acts as a nonlocal probe of the spacetime manifold.Additionally, we utilize the dual atom interferometer as a gradiometer for precise gravitational measurements.