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Interference of clocks: A quantum twin paradox
Sina Loriani1, Alexander Friedrich2, Christian Ufrecht2
1Institut für Quantenoptik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1, D-30167 Hannover, Germany.
Science Advances
|October 18, 2019
Summary
Atom interferometers, sensitive to time dilation, do not measure gravitational effects in linear potentials. However, they can demonstrate a quantum twin paradox, with a proposed geometry isolating this relativistic phenomenon.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Relativity
- Atom interferometry
Background:
- The phase of matter waves is dependent on proper time, making it susceptible to relativistic time dilation.
- Atom interferometers are theoretically capable of detecting general-relativistic time-dilation effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sensitivity of closed light-pulse atom interferometers to gravitational time dilation.
- To explore the potential for atom interferometers to exhibit a quantum analog of the special-relativistic twin paradox.
- To propose an experimental geometry for a quantum-clock interferometer that isolates specific relativistic effects.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of closed light-pulse interferometers.
- Investigation of interferometers without clock transitions during pulse sequences.
- Development of a specific experimental geometry for quantum-clock interferometry.
Main Results:
- Closed light-pulse interferometers without clock transitions are found to be insensitive to gravitational time dilation in a linear potential.
- These interferometers can serve as a quantum realization of the special-relativistic twin paradox.
- The proposed experimental geometry successfully isolates the twin paradox effect.
Conclusions:
- Standard light-pulse atom interferometers are not suitable for measuring gravitational time dilation in linear potentials.
- Atom interferometry offers a novel platform for demonstrating quantum aspects of special relativity, specifically the twin paradox.
- The proposed quantum-clock interferometer design provides a method to isolate and study these relativistic phenomena.
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