Effect of quantum statistics on the gravitational weak equivalence principle

Abstract

We study the effect of quantum statistics on the arrival time distribution of quantum particles computed through the probability current density. It is shown that symmetrization or asymmetrization of the wave function affects the arrival time distribution for even freely propagating particles. In order to investigate the effect of statistics on the weak equivalence principle in quantum mechanics (WEQ), we then compute the mean arrival time for wave packets in free fall. The violation of WEQ through the effect of statistics on the mass-dependence of the mean arrival time is clearly exhibited. We finally evaluate the effect of spin on the violation of WEQ using a different approach by including an explicit spin-dependence in the probability current distribution, and compare it with the approach using particle statistics. Our results show WEQ re-emerges smoothly in the limit of large mass.

Gravity-induced geometric spin Hall effect of freely falling quantum particle

“…However, quantum particles differ critically from classical point-like particles in many respects, because of their wave-like features and inherent spacial extension. Even the notion of WEP for quantum systems is not very clear and it may be different from the conventional WEP for classical systems [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]. In this paper, considering wave-like features and inherent spacial extension of quantum particles, we reveal an interesting phenomenon that the space-averaged free-fall point of quantum particles allows a spindependent transverse split in the gravitational field.…”

Physical quantities and spatial parameters in the complex octonion curved space

“…C. Armendariz-Picon et al [34] studied the equivalence principle and its violations by quantum effects in scalar-tensor theories that admit a conformal frame. S. V. Mousavi et al [35] researched the effect of quantum statistics on the arrival time distribution of quantum particles computed through the probability current density. J. Williams et al [36] described the quantum test of the equivalence principle and space time, a concept for an atom interferometry mission on the International Space Station.…”