Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 43-60 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics |
| Volume | 100 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 18 Jun 2010 |
Abstract
We show that in complete agreement with classical mechanics, the dynamics of any quantum mechanical wave packet in a linear gravitational potential involves the gravitational and the inertial mass only as their ratio. In contrast, the spatial modulation of the corresponding energy wave function is determined by the third root of the product of the two masses. Moreover, the discrete energy spectrum of a particle constrained in its motion by a linear gravitational potential and an infinitely steep wall depends on the inertial as well as the gravitational mass with different fractional powers. This feature might open a new avenue in quantum tests of the universality of free fall.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- General Physics and Astronomy
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In: Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics, Vol. 100, No. 1, 18.06.2010, p. 43-60.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Inertial and gravitational mass in quantum mechanics
AU - Kajari, E.
AU - Harshman, N. L.
AU - Rasel, E. M.
AU - Stenholm, S.
AU - Süßmann, G.
AU - Schleich, W. P.
PY - 2010/6/18
Y1 - 2010/6/18
N2 - We show that in complete agreement with classical mechanics, the dynamics of any quantum mechanical wave packet in a linear gravitational potential involves the gravitational and the inertial mass only as their ratio. In contrast, the spatial modulation of the corresponding energy wave function is determined by the third root of the product of the two masses. Moreover, the discrete energy spectrum of a particle constrained in its motion by a linear gravitational potential and an infinitely steep wall depends on the inertial as well as the gravitational mass with different fractional powers. This feature might open a new avenue in quantum tests of the universality of free fall.
AB - We show that in complete agreement with classical mechanics, the dynamics of any quantum mechanical wave packet in a linear gravitational potential involves the gravitational and the inertial mass only as their ratio. In contrast, the spatial modulation of the corresponding energy wave function is determined by the third root of the product of the two masses. Moreover, the discrete energy spectrum of a particle constrained in its motion by a linear gravitational potential and an infinitely steep wall depends on the inertial as well as the gravitational mass with different fractional powers. This feature might open a new avenue in quantum tests of the universality of free fall.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=78751515412&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00340-010-4085-8
DO - 10.1007/s00340-010-4085-8
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:78751515412
VL - 100
SP - 43
EP - 60
JO - Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics
JF - Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics
SN - 0946-2171
IS - 1
ER -