Abstract
We construct the quantum mechanical model of the Colella-Overhauser-Werner (COW) experiment assuming that the underlying space time has a granular structure, described by a canonical noncommutative algebra of coordinates . The time-space sector of the algebra is shown to add a mass-dependent contribution to the gravitational acceleration felt by neutron de Brogli waves measured in a COW experiment. This makes time-space noncommutativity a potential candidate for an apparent violation of the weak equivalence principle even if the ratio of the inertial mass and gravitational mass is a universal constant. The latest experimental result based on the COW principle is shown to place an upper bound several orders of magnitude stronger than the existing one on the time-space noncommutative parameter. We argue that the evidence of noncommutative structure of space-time may be found if the COW-type experiment can be repeated with several particle species.
- Received 18 June 2013
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.89.025010
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