Matter and light wave interferometry in gravitational fields

We consider the problem of finding the quantum mechanical phase associated with the propagation of a particle in a given external gravitational field, and conclude that it ism ds. In weak fieldsh this allows us to calculate the gravitationally induced phase on a freely traveling particle as 1/2 h P dx whereP is the ordinary momentum. This formula has the expected Newtonian limit and is then used to calculate effects in matter wave interferometry such as those due to gravity waves and the dragging of the ether frame by rotating bodies. Light wave interferometry is then considered and is shown to be also described by 1/2 h K dx , whereK is the wave vector of the light, and the integral is along the path of the ray. Matter and light wave interferometry are compared in various cases.A preliminary version of this work was presented at the Grenoble Workshop on Neutron Interferometry, June 1978.