Localized qubits in curved spacetimes (Q413155)

A systematic and self-contained exposition of the subject of localized qubits in curved spacetimes is provided. This research was motivated by a simple experimental question: If we move a spatially localized qubit, initially in a state \(\left|\psi_1\right\rangle\), along some spacetime path \(\Gamma\) from a spacetime point \(x_1\) to another point \(x_2\), what will the final quantum state \(\left|\psi_2\right\rangle\) be at point \(x_2\)? This paper addresses this question for two physical realizations of the qubit, the spin of a massive fermion and the polarization of a photon. The starting point is the Dirac and Maxwell equations that describe respectively the one-particle states of localized massive fermions and photons. In the WKB limit the method of treating the isolation of two-dimensional quantum state which evolves unitarily along \(\Gamma\) is described. The quantum states for these two realizations are represented by a left-handed 2-spinor in the case of massive fermions and a four-component complex polarization vector in the case of photons. In addition it is shown how to obtain from this WKB approach a fully general relativistic description of gravitationally induced phases. This formalism is used to describe the gravitational shift in the Colella-Overhauser-Werner 1975 experiment. In the non-relativistic weak field limit this result reduces to the standard formula in the original paper. A concrete physical model for a Stern-Gerlach measurement of spin is provided and a unique spin operator which can be determined is obtained, given the orientation and velocity of the Stern-Gerlach device and velocity of the massive fermion. Finally, multipartite states are considered and the formalism is generalized to incorporate basic elements from quantum information theory such as quantum entanglement, quantum teleportation, and identical particles. The resulting formalism provides a basis for exploring precision quantum measurements of the gravitational field using techniques from quantum information theory.