Measurement of weak gravitational effects on single photons

High-precision interferometer in curved space-time

Schematic diagram of setup

Single photons are remarkably quantum states by being massless and traveling at the speed of light. Therefore, single-photon experiments, where both quantum and relativistic effects play an important role, will provide important insights into the interface of quantum and gravity.

Supported by the research platform “Testing quantum and gravity interface with single photons (TURIS)" we aim to probe the interface between quantum mechanics and general relativity at the level of individual photons. Thus we are building table-top fiber-based interferometer for precision measurements on single photons. For optimal visibility conditions and unaltered transmission through long fibers we are developing narrow bandwidth single-photon sources in combination with high-efficient single-photon detectors.

 

Publications (selected):

Weakly gravitating isotropic waveguides
R. Beig, P.T. Chrusciel, C. Hilweg, P. Kornreich, P. Walther
Classical and Quantum Gravity (2018).

Gravitationally induced phase shift on a single photon
C. Hilweg, F.  Massa, D. Martynov, N. Mavalvala, P. Chrusciel, P. Walther
New Journal of Physics 19, 033028 (2017).

 

 

Background:

General relativistic effects in quantum interference of photons
M. Zych, F. Costa, I. Pikovski, T.C. Ralph, Č. Brukner
Classical and Quantum Gravity 29, 224010 (2012).

Quantum interferometric visibility as a witness of general relativistic proper time
M. Zych, F. Costa, I. Pikovski, Č. Brukner
Nature Communications 2, 505 (2011).

 

Further publications...