Gravitational wave detection via photon-graviton scattering and quantum interference

We present a fully quantum field-theoretic framework for gravitational wave (GW) detection, describing the interaction as inelastic photon-graviton scattering. We demonstrate that for \textit{a coherent graviton state}, this microscopic model explicitly reproduces the standard classical geometric-optics time delay, providing a rigorous consistency test of the correspondence limit. We propose a detection scheme based on Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, where the GW-induced spectral shifts render entangled photon pairs distinguishable. This encodes the gravitational signal into the modulation of photon coincidence rates --- a quantum observable robust against laser intensity noise. Furthermore, we show that non-classical graviton states, such as squeezed states, induce unique decoherence signatures, establishing theoretical bounds on gravitational decoherence and defining the operational limits for probing the quantum nature of gravity.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Published
2026-10-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/qrbz-6kt7
Primary Topic
Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Gravitational wave detection via photon-graviton scattering and quantum interference

S. Shankaranarayanan, K. Hari
4 links
Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
article

Gravitational wave detection via photon-graviton scattering and quantum interference

S. Shankaranarayanan, K. Hari
article en

Abstract

We present a fully quantum field-theoretic framework for gravitational wave (GW) detection, describing the interaction as inelastic photon-graviton scattering. We demonstrate that for \textit{a coherent graviton state}, this microscopic model explicitly reproduces the standard classical geometric-optics time delay, providing a rigorous consistency test of the correspondence limit. We propose a detection scheme based on Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, where the GW-induced spectral shifts render entangled photon pairs distinguishable. This encodes the gravitational signal into the modulation of photon coincidence rates --- a quantum observable robust against laser intensity noise. Furthermore, we show that non-classical graviton states, such as squeezed states, induce unique decoherence signatures, establishing theoretical bounds on gravitational decoherence and defining the operational limits for probing the quantum nature of gravity.

Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Openalex Percentile: Top 92%
Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
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Gravitational wave detection via photon-graviton scattering and quantum interference — S. Shankaranarayanan, K. Hari · Physical review. D/Physical review. D. (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS