Gravitational wave detection via photon-graviton scattering and quantum interference

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Hari, K., Shankaranarayanan, S.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Hari, K.
Shankaranarayanan, S.
author_facet Hari, K.
Shankaranarayanan, S.
contents We present a fully quantum field-theoretic framework for gravitational wave (GW) detection in which the interaction is described as photon-graviton scattering. In this picture, the GW acts as a coherent background that induces inelastic energy exchanges with the electromagnetic field - analogous to the Stokes and anti-Stokes shifts in Raman spectroscopy. We propose a detection scheme sensitive to this microscopic mechanism based on Hong-Ou-Mandel interference. We show that the scattering-induced phase shifts render frequency-entangled photon pairs distinguishable, spoiling their destructive quantum interference. GW signal is thus encoded in the modulation of photon coincidence rates rather than classical field intensity, offering a complementary quantum probe of the gravitational universe that recovers the standard classical response in the macroscopic limit.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_20553
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Gravitational wave detection via photon-graviton scattering and quantum interference
Hari, K.
Shankaranarayanan, S.
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Physics - Theory
Optics
Quantum Physics
We present a fully quantum field-theoretic framework for gravitational wave (GW) detection in which the interaction is described as photon-graviton scattering. In this picture, the GW acts as a coherent background that induces inelastic energy exchanges with the electromagnetic field - analogous to the Stokes and anti-Stokes shifts in Raman spectroscopy. We propose a detection scheme sensitive to this microscopic mechanism based on Hong-Ou-Mandel interference. We show that the scattering-induced phase shifts render frequency-entangled photon pairs distinguishable, spoiling their destructive quantum interference. GW signal is thus encoded in the modulation of photon coincidence rates rather than classical field intensity, offering a complementary quantum probe of the gravitational universe that recovers the standard classical response in the macroscopic limit.
title Gravitational wave detection via photon-graviton scattering and quantum interference
topic General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Physics - Theory
Optics
Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.20553