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  • Open Access

Quantum interferometry in external gravitational fields

Thomas B. Mieling1,*, Thomas Morling2, Christopher Hilweg1, and Philip Walther1,3

  • 1University of Vienna, Faculty of Physics and Research Network TURIS, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
  • 2University of Vienna, Faculty of Physics, Vienna Doctoral School in Physics (VDSP) and Research Network TURIS, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
  • 3Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI) Vienna, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Boltzmanngasse 3, 1090 Vienna, Austria

  • *Contact author: thomas.mieling@univie.ac.at
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Phys. Rev. A 112, 062211 – Published 8 December, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/8dsx-jt6b

Abstract

Current models of quantum interference experiments in external gravitational fields lack a common framework: while matter-wave interferometers are commonly described using the Schrödinger equation with a Newtonian potential, gravitational effects in quantum optics are modeled using either post-Newtonian metrics or highly symmetric exact solutions to Einstein's field equations such as those of Schwarzschild and Kerr. To coherently describe both kinds of experiments, this paper develops a unified framework for modeling quantum interferometers in general stationary space-times. This model provides a rigorous description and coherent interpretation of the effects of classical gravity on quantum probes.

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Phys. Rev. A 112, 062211– Published 8 December, 2025
  • Received 30 July 2025
  • Accepted 12 November 2025
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