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arXiv · 1108.0973

Photon polarization and geometric phase in general relativity

Aharon Brodutch·Tommaso F. Demarie·Daniel R. Terno
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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.

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Aharon Brodutch, Tommaso F. Demarie, Daniel R. Terno. 2011-12-28. Photon polarization and geometric phase in general relativity. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.84.104043

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