Atom-interferometric test of the universality of gravitational redshift and free fall

verfasst von
Christian Ufrecht, Fabio Di Pumpo, Alexander Friedrich, Albert Roura, Christian Schubert, Dennis Schlippert, Ernst M. Rasel, Wolfgang P. Schleich, Enno Giese
Abstract

Light-pulse atom interferometers constitute powerful quantum sensors for inertial forces. They are based on delocalised spatial superpositions and the combination with internal transitions directly links them to atomic clocks. Since classical tests of the gravitational redshift are based on a comparison of two clocks localised at different positions under gravity, it is promising to explore whether the aforementioned interferometers constitute a competitive alternative for tests of general relativity. Here we present a specific geometry which together with state transitions leads to a scheme that is concurrently sensitive to both violations of the universality of free fall and gravitational redshift, two premises of general relativity. The proposed interferometer does not rely on a superposition of internal states, but merely on transitions between them, and therefore generalises the concept of physical atomic clocks and quantum-clock interferometry. An experimental realisation seems feasible with already demonstrated techniques in state-of-the-art facilities.

Organisationseinheit(en)
Institut für Quantenoptik
QuantumFrontiers
SFB 1227: Designte Quantenzustände der Materie (DQ-mat)
Externe Organisation(en)
Texas A and M University
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
Universität Ulm
Typ
Artikel
Journal
Phys. Rev. Research
Band
2
Publikationsdatum
16.11.2020
Publikationsstatus
Veröffentlicht
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
Physik und Astronomie (insg.)
Elektronische Version(en)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2001.09754v1 (Zugang: Offen)
https://elib.dlr.de/141366/1/PhysRevResearch.2.043240.pdf (Zugang: Offen)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.043240 (Zugang: Offen)