Abstract
At the beginning of the previous century, Newtonian mechanics was advanced by two new revolutionary theories, Quantum Mechanics (QM) and General Relativity (GR). Both theories have transformed our view of physical phenomena, with QM accurately predicting the results of experiments taking place at small length scales, and GR correctly describing observations at larger length scales. However, despite the impressive predictive power of each theory in their respective regimes, their unification still remains unresolved. Theories and proposals for their unification exist but we are lacking experimental guidance towards the true unifying theory. Probing GR at small length scales where quantum effects become relevant is particularly problematic but recently there has been a growing interest in probing the opposite regime, QM at large scales where relativistic effects are important. This is principally because experimental techniques in quantum physics have developed rapidly in recent years with the promise of quantum technologies. Here we review recent advances in experimental and theoretical work on quantum experiments that will be able to probe relativistic effects of gravity on quantum properties. In particular, we emphasise the importance of using the framework of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime (QFTCS) in describing these experiments. For example, recent theoretical work using QFTCS has illustrated that these quantum experiments could also be used to enhance measurements of gravitational effects, such as Gravitational Waves (GWs). Verification of such enhancements, as well as other QFTCS predictions in quantum experiments, would provide the first direct validation of this limiting case of quantum gravity.
Highlights
Quantum Field Theory (QFT) is currently our best attempt at merging special relativity and quantum physics into a coherent framework, and Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime (QFTCS) represents the first step in extending this highly successful theory to curved spacetime [91]
In the following subsections we review the following types of quantum experiments that are approaching relativistic gravity regimes: large-scale experiments that are designed to advance quantum communications; experiments using ultra-precise quantum clocks; quantum technologies that are being used in gravitational metrology; quantum experiments that can detect Gravitational Waves (GWs); quantum experiments that are searching for deviations from General Relativity (GR); experimental proposals designed to search for quantum gravity using massive quantum systems; and quantum experiments that have exhibited the Dynamical Casimir Effect (DCE), which is an analogue of effects due to curved spacetime
The constant progress provided by the successful accomplishments of these experiments implies that they are rapidly approaching a regime in fundamental physics that has yet to be explored
Summary
We review quantum experiments that are approaching regimes where quantum properties will be modified by relativistic effects of gravity. These quantum experiments are approaching such regimes because they involve large distances and implement high precision techniques. Instead the experiments are primarily designed to advance quantum technology and its applications, such as the quantum internet, navigation, geophysics and GW astronomy. Otherwise they have been designed to advance our understanding of fundamental physics, such as a modifications to quantum theory at large scales, or the quantization of gravity. In the following subsections we review the following types of quantum experiments that are approaching relativistic gravity regimes: large-scale experiments that are designed to advance quantum communications; experiments using ultra-precise quantum clocks; quantum technologies that are being used in gravitational metrology; quantum experiments that can detect GWs; quantum experiments that are searching for deviations from GR; experimental proposals designed to search for quantum gravity using massive quantum systems; and quantum experiments that have exhibited the DCE, which is an analogue of effects due to curved spacetime
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