Quantum test of the equivalence principle for atoms in coherent superposition of internal energy states

G. Rosi, G. D’Amico, L. Cacciapuoti, F. Sorrentino, M. Prevedelli, M. Zych, Č. Brukner and G. M. Tino ()
Additional contact information
G. Rosi: Università di Firenze—INFN Sezione di Firenze
G. D’Amico: Università di Firenze—INFN Sezione di Firenze
L. Cacciapuoti: European Space Agency
F. Sorrentino: INFN Sezione di Genova
M. Prevedelli: Università di Bologna
M. Zych: Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland
Č. Brukner: Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna
G. M. Tino: Università di Firenze—INFN Sezione di Firenze

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract The Einstein equivalence principle (EEP) has a central role in the understanding of gravity and space–time. In its weak form, or weak equivalence principle (WEP), it directly implies equivalence between inertial and gravitational mass. Verifying this principle in a regime where the relevant properties of the test body must be described by quantum theory has profound implications. Here we report on a novel WEP test for atoms: a Bragg atom interferometer in a gravity gradiometer configuration compares the free fall of rubidium atoms prepared in two hyperfine states and in their coherent superposition. The use of the superposition state allows testing genuine quantum aspects of EEP with no classical analogue, which have remained completely unexplored so far. In addition, we measure the Eötvös ratio of atoms in two hyperfine levels with relative uncertainty in the low 10−9, improving previous results by almost two orders of magnitude.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15529

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