A new method of testing the gravitational redshift effect with radio interferometers

Abstract

We propose a new method to measure gravitational redshift effect using simultaneous interferometric observations of a distant radio source to synchronize clocks. The first order by $v/c$ contribution to the signal (the classical Doppler effect) is automatically canceled in our setup. When other contributions from the velocities of the clocks, clock imperfection and atmosphere are properly taken into account, the residual gravitational redshift can be measured with the relative precision of $\sim 10^{-3}$ for RadioAstron space-to-ground interferometer or with precision up to few $10^{-5}$ with the next generation of space radio interferometers.