Detectors for probing relativistic quantum physics beyond perturbation theory

Eric G. Brown, Eduardo Martín-Martínez, Nicolas C. Menicucci, and Robert B. Mann
Phys. Rev. D 87, 084062 – Published 25 April 2013

Abstract

We develop a general formalism for a nonperturbative treatment of harmonic-oscillator particle detectors in relativistic quantum field theory using continuous-variable techniques. By means of this we forgo perturbation theory altogether and reduce the complete dynamics to a readily solvable set of first-order, linear differential equations. The formalism applies unchanged to a wide variety of physical setups, including arbitrary detector trajectories, any number of detectors, arbitrary time-dependent quadratic couplings, arbitrary Gaussian initial states, and a variety of background spacetimes. As a first set of concrete results, we prove nonperturbatively—and without invoking Bogoliubov transformations—that an accelerated detector in a cavity evolves to a state that is very nearly thermal with a temperature proportional to its acceleration, allowing us to discuss the universality of the Unruh effect. Additionally we quantitatively analyze the problems of considering single-mode approximations in cavity field theory and show the emergence of causal behavior when we include a sufficiently large number of field modes in the analysis. Finally, we analyze how the harmonic particle detector can harvest entanglement from the vacuum. We also study the effect of noise in time-dependent problems introduced by suddenly switching on the interaction versus ramping it up slowly (adiabatic activation).

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 10 December 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.87.084062

© 2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Eric G. Brown1, Eduardo Martín-Martínez1,2,3, Nicolas C. Menicucci4, and Robert B. Mann1,3

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
  • 2Institute for Quantum Computing and Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
  • 3Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, 31 Caroline Street N, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 2Y5, Canada
  • 4School of Physics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 87, Iss. 8 — 15 April 2013

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review D

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×