The role of geometric analysis in interferometer design and optimization for gravitational quantum entanglement
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The pursuit of a quantum theory of gravity, aiming to unify general relativity and quantum mechanics, remains one of the most enduring challenges in physics. Because of the extreme energy scales associated with the Planck regime, direct experimental evidence for quantum gravity remains elusive. However, recent proposals suggest that quantum entanglement between two massive particles may provide a pathway to probe the quantum nature of gravity. In this study, we examine the interferometer geometries proposed in these works, with particular attention to the commonly used approximation that neglects phase contributions from the specific segments of the particle trajectories. Our analysis shows that this approximation can lead to incorrect predictions and, in certain parameter regimes, to null results where entanglement would otherwise be expected. We derive exact solutions that incorporate the full particle trajectories and demonstrate that the vertical arms can significantly affect the accumulated phase. Crucially, we identify configurations in which the induced entanglement vanishes entirely, a feature missed by simplified treatments. These findings show that accounting for the full interferometer geometry is not merely a refinement, but is essential for accurately assessing gravity-induced entanglement.
Source: The European Physical Journal C
Author: Alireza Maleki
Institution: Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204534054