How does interference fall?

Abstract

We study how single- and double-slit interference patterns fall in the presence of gravity. First, we demonstrate that universality of free fall still holds in this case, i.e., interference patterns fall just like classical objects. Next, we explore lowest order relativistic effects in the Newtonian regime by employing a recent quantum formalism which treats mass as an operator. This leads to interactions between non-degenerate internal degrees of freedom (like spin in an external magnetic field) and external degrees of freedom (like position). Based on these effects, we present an unusual phenomenon, in which a falling double slit interference pattern periodically decoheres and recoheres. The oscillations in the visibility of this interference occur due to correlations built up between spin and position. Finally, we connect the interference visibility revivals with non-Markovian quantum dynamics.

Contribution to "Lectures on general quantum correlations and their applications", edited by Felipe Fanchini, Diogo Soares-Pinto, and Gerardo Adesso

References in corpus (6)

• Quantum Coherence as a Resource
• Quantum Non-Markovianity: Characterization, Quantification and Detection
• Measuring Quantum Coherence with Entanglement
• Test of Equivalence Principle at $10^{-8}$ Level by a Dual-species Double-diffraction Raman Atom Interferometer
• Foundations and Measures of Quantum Non-Markovianity
• General relativistic effects in quantum interference of photons

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Monogamy of quantum correlations - a review
• Equivalence Principle for Quantum Systems: Dephasing and Phase Shift of Free-Falling Particles
• General Relativistic Decoherence with Applications to Dark Matter Detection
• Decoherence from General Relativity
• Mass-energy equivalence in harmonically trapped particles
• Puzzling out the mass-superselection rule