Gravitational Effects on Sagnac Interferometry
Published:Dec 30, 2025 19:19
•1 min read
•ArXiv
Analysis
This paper investigates the impact of gravitational waves on Sagnac interferometers, going beyond the standard Sagnac phase shift to identify a polarization rotation effect. This is significant because it provides a new way to detect and potentially characterize gravitational waves, especially for freely falling observers where the standard phase shift vanishes. The paper's focus on gravitational holonomy suggests a deeper connection between gravity and the geometry of the interferometer.
Key Takeaways
- •Identifies a polarization rotation effect in Sagnac interferometry due to gravitational waves.
- •Formulates the effect as gravitational holonomy.
- •Highlights the dominance of polarization rotation for freely falling observers.
- •Provides a new perspective on gravitational wave detection.
Reference
“The paper identifies an additional contribution originating from a relative rotation in the polarization vectors, formulating this effect as a gravitational holonomy associated to the internal Lorentz group.”