Photon polarization and geometric phase in general relativity
Abstract
Rotation of polarization in an external gravitational field is one of the effects of general relativity that can serve as a basis for its precision tests. A careful analysis of reference frames is crucial for a proper evaluation of this effect. We introduce an operationally-motivated local reference frame that allows for a particularly simple description. We present a solution of null geodesics in Kerr space-time that is organized around a new expansion parameter, allowing a better control of the series, and use it to calculate the resulting polarization rotation. While this rotation depends on the reference-frame convention, we demonstrate a gauge-independent geometric phase for closed paths in general space-times.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1108.0973,
title = {Photon polarization and geometric phase in general relativity},
author = {Aharon Brodutch and Tommaso F. Demarie and Daniel R. Terno},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1108.0973},
year = {2011}
}
Comments
17 pages; published version of a companion paper to arXiv:1107.1274