Quantum effects in rotating reference frames

S. P. Kish*, T. C. Ralph

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    5 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We consider the time delay of interfering single photons oppositely traveling in the Kerr metric of a rotating massive object. Classically, the time delay shows up as a phase difference between coherent sources of light. In quantum mechanics, the loss in visibility due to the indistinguishability of interfering photons is directly related to the time delay. We can thus observe the Kerr frame dragging effect using the Hong-Ou-Mandel dip, a purely quantum mechanical effect. By Einstein's equivalence principle, we can analogously consider a rotating turntable to simulate the Kerr metric. We look at the feasibility of such an experiment using optical fiber and note a cancellation in the second order dispersion but a direction dependent difference in group velocity. However, for the chosen experimental parameters, we can effectively assume light propagating through a vacuum.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number011401
    JournalAVS Quantum Science
    Volume4
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2022

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Quantum effects in rotating reference frames'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this