Testing quantum theory on curved spacetime with quantum networks

Quantum technologies present new opportunities for fundamental tests of nature. One potential application is to probe the interplay between quantum physics and general relativity—a field of physics with no empirical evidence yet. Here we show that quantum networks open a new window to test this inte...

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Main Authors: Johannes Borregaard, Igor Pikovski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2025-05-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.023192
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author Johannes Borregaard
Igor Pikovski
author_facet Johannes Borregaard
Igor Pikovski
author_sort Johannes Borregaard
collection DOAJ
description Quantum technologies present new opportunities for fundamental tests of nature. One potential application is to probe the interplay between quantum physics and general relativity—a field of physics with no empirical evidence yet. Here we show that quantum networks open a new window to test this interface. We demonstrate how photon mediated entanglement between atomic or atomlike systems can be used to probe time-dilation-induced entanglement and interference modulation. Key are nonlocal measurements between clocks in a gravitational field, which can be achieved either through direct photon interference or by using auxiliary entanglement. The resulting observable depends on the interference between different proper times, and can only be explained if both quantum theory and general relativity are taken into account. The proposed protocol enables clock interferometry on kilometer-scale separations and beyond. Our work thus shows a realistic experimental route for a first test of quantum theory on curved spacetime, opening up new scientific opportunities for quantum networks.
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spelling doaj-art-e1bb42f63e1747ccb8f423c2ff19c0f02025-08-20T03:12:15ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642025-05-017202319210.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.023192Testing quantum theory on curved spacetime with quantum networksJohannes BorregaardIgor PikovskiQuantum technologies present new opportunities for fundamental tests of nature. One potential application is to probe the interplay between quantum physics and general relativity—a field of physics with no empirical evidence yet. Here we show that quantum networks open a new window to test this interface. We demonstrate how photon mediated entanglement between atomic or atomlike systems can be used to probe time-dilation-induced entanglement and interference modulation. Key are nonlocal measurements between clocks in a gravitational field, which can be achieved either through direct photon interference or by using auxiliary entanglement. The resulting observable depends on the interference between different proper times, and can only be explained if both quantum theory and general relativity are taken into account. The proposed protocol enables clock interferometry on kilometer-scale separations and beyond. Our work thus shows a realistic experimental route for a first test of quantum theory on curved spacetime, opening up new scientific opportunities for quantum networks.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.023192
spellingShingle Johannes Borregaard
Igor Pikovski
Testing quantum theory on curved spacetime with quantum networks
Physical Review Research
title Testing quantum theory on curved spacetime with quantum networks
title_full Testing quantum theory on curved spacetime with quantum networks
title_fullStr Testing quantum theory on curved spacetime with quantum networks
title_full_unstemmed Testing quantum theory on curved spacetime with quantum networks
title_short Testing quantum theory on curved spacetime with quantum networks
title_sort testing quantum theory on curved spacetime with quantum networks
url http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.023192
work_keys_str_mv AT johannesborregaard testingquantumtheoryoncurvedspacetimewithquantumnetworks
AT igorpikovski testingquantumtheoryoncurvedspacetimewithquantumnetworks