How to Detect the Gravitationally Induced Phase Shift of Electromagnetic Waves by Optical-Fiber Interferometry

Abstract

Attention is called to a laboratory experiment of an optical-fiber interferometer which can show the gravitationally induced phase shift of optical waves. A phase shift of \ensuremath{\sim} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ rad is anticipated for the Earth's gravitational potential difference of 1 m when a He-Ne laser and two multiple-turn optical-fiber loops of length 5 km are used. The phase shift can be varied by rotating the loops about an axis parallel to the Earth's surface. This order of phase shifts can be detected by current optical-fiber interferometric techniques.