Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 014401 |
| Journal | AVS Quantum Science |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2023 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
The precision of optical atomic clocks is approaching a regime where they resolve gravitational time dilation on smaller scales than their own extensions. Hence, an accurate description of quantum clocks has to take their spatial extension into account. In this article, as a first step toward a fully relativistic description of extended quantum clocks, we investigate a quantized version of Einstein's light clock fixed at a constant distance from a large massive object like the Earth. The model consists of a quantum light field in a one-dimensional cavity in Schwarzschild spacetime, where the distance between the mirrors is fixed by a rigid rod. By comparing a vertical and a horizontal clock, we propose an operational way to define the clock time when the clock resolves gravitational time dilation on scales smaller than its extension. In particular, we show that the time measured by the vertical light clock is equivalent to the proper time defined at its center. We also derive fundamental bounds on the precision of these clocks for measurements of proper time and the Schwarzschild radius.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Computer Science(all)
- Computer Networks and Communications
- Chemistry(all)
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Computer Science(all)
- Computational Theory and Mathematics
- Engineering(all)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
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In: AVS Quantum Science, Vol. 5, No. 1, 014401, 03.2023.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Gravitational time dilation in extended quantum systems: The case of light clocks in Schwarzschild spacetime
AU - Bravo, Tupac
AU - Rätzel, Dennis
AU - Fuentes, Ivette
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 Author(s).
PY - 2023/3
Y1 - 2023/3
N2 - The precision of optical atomic clocks is approaching a regime where they resolve gravitational time dilation on smaller scales than their own extensions. Hence, an accurate description of quantum clocks has to take their spatial extension into account. In this article, as a first step toward a fully relativistic description of extended quantum clocks, we investigate a quantized version of Einstein's light clock fixed at a constant distance from a large massive object like the Earth. The model consists of a quantum light field in a one-dimensional cavity in Schwarzschild spacetime, where the distance between the mirrors is fixed by a rigid rod. By comparing a vertical and a horizontal clock, we propose an operational way to define the clock time when the clock resolves gravitational time dilation on scales smaller than its extension. In particular, we show that the time measured by the vertical light clock is equivalent to the proper time defined at its center. We also derive fundamental bounds on the precision of these clocks for measurements of proper time and the Schwarzschild radius.
AB - The precision of optical atomic clocks is approaching a regime where they resolve gravitational time dilation on smaller scales than their own extensions. Hence, an accurate description of quantum clocks has to take their spatial extension into account. In this article, as a first step toward a fully relativistic description of extended quantum clocks, we investigate a quantized version of Einstein's light clock fixed at a constant distance from a large massive object like the Earth. The model consists of a quantum light field in a one-dimensional cavity in Schwarzschild spacetime, where the distance between the mirrors is fixed by a rigid rod. By comparing a vertical and a horizontal clock, we propose an operational way to define the clock time when the clock resolves gravitational time dilation on scales smaller than its extension. In particular, we show that the time measured by the vertical light clock is equivalent to the proper time defined at its center. We also derive fundamental bounds on the precision of these clocks for measurements of proper time and the Schwarzschild radius.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85146509061&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1116/5.0123228
DO - 10.1116/5.0123228
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85146509061
VL - 5
JO - AVS Quantum Science
JF - AVS Quantum Science
IS - 1
M1 - 014401
ER -