Causality problems for Fermi’s two-atom system

Gerhard C. Hegerfeldt
Phys. Rev. Lett. 72, 596 – Published 31 January 1994
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Abstract

Let A and B be two atoms or, more generally, a ‘‘source’’ and a ‘‘detector’’ separated by some distance R. At t=0A is in an excited state, B in its ground state, and no photons are present. A theorem is proved that in contrast to Einstein causality and finite signal velocity the excitation probability of B is nonzero immediately after t=0. Implications are discussed.

  • Received 2 September 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.72.596

©1994 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Gerhard C. Hegerfeldt

  • Institut für Theoretische Physik, University of Göttingen, D37073 Göttingen, Germany

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Vol. 72, Iss. 5 — 31 January 1994

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