Quantum and classical effects in a light-clock falling in Schwarzschild geometry

Abstract

Quantum theory and relativity offer different conceptions of time. To explore the conflict between them, we study a quantum version of the light-clock commonly used to illustrate relativistic time dilation. This semiclassical model combines elements of both theories. We show for Gaussian states of the light field that the clock time is independent of the initial state. We calculate the discrepancy between two such clocks when one is held in a gravitational field and the other is left to fall a certain distance. Contrasting our results with the case of pointlike observers in general relativity, as well as classical light-clocks, we find both quantitative and qualitative differences. We find that the quantum contribution to the discrepancy between the two clocks increases with the gravitational field strength, and results in a minimum resolution of the dropped clock (distinct from the quantum uncertainty in its measurement).

References in corpus (16)

• An atomic clock with $10^{-18}$ instability
• Continuous variable quantum information: Gaussian states and beyond
• Generalized uncertainty relations: Theory, examples, and Lorentz invariance
• Quantum correlations with no causal order
• Quantum interferometric visibility as a witness of general relativistic proper time
• Optimal Quantum Clocks
• Autonomous quantum clocks: does thermodynamics limit our ability to measure time?
• Quantizing time: Interacting clocks and systems
• Scalar, spinor, and photon fields under relativistic cavity motion
• Entanglement of quantum clocks through gravity
• ``Weighing'' a closed system and the time-energy uncertainty principle
• Twin paradox with macroscopic clocks in superconducting circuits
• Ideal clocks - a convenient fiction
• Motion and gravity effects in the precision of quantum clocks
• Relativistic quantum clocks
• Can a charged decaying particle serve as an ideal clock in the presence of the magnetic field?

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Quantum clocks observe classical and quantum time dilation
• Universal quantum modifications to general relativistic time dilation in delocalised clocks
• Quantum time dilation in atomic spectra
• On the feasibility of detecting quantum delocalization effects on relativistic time dilation in optical clocks