How Does Interference Fall?

Patrick J. Orlando, Felix Pollock, Kavan Modi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (Book)Researchpeer-review

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.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLectures on General Quantum Correlations and their Applications
EditorsFelipe Fernandes Fanchini, Diogo de Oliveira Soares Pinto, Gerardo Adesso
Place of PublicationCham Switzerland
PublisherSpringer
Pages421-451
Number of pages31
ISBN (Electronic)9783319534121
ISBN (Print)9783319534107
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Publication series

NameQuantum Science and Technology
PublisherSpringer International Publishing AG
ISSN (Print)2364-9054
ISSN (Electronic)2364-9062

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