Localized non-relativistic quantum systems in curved spacetimes: a general characterization of particle detector models

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Author: Perche, T. Rick
Format: Preprint
Published: 2022
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author Perche, T. Rick
author_facet Perche, T. Rick
contents In this manuscript we provide a consistent way of describing a localized non-relativistic quantum system undergoing a timelike trajectory in a background curved spacetime. Namely, using Fermi normal coordinates, we identify an inner product and canonically conjugate position and momentum operators defined in the rest space of the trajectory for each value of its proper time. This framework then naturally provides a recipe for mapping a quantum theory defined in a non-relativistic background to a theory around a timelike trajectory in curved spacetimes. This is done by reinterpreting the position and momentum operators and by introducing a local redshift factor to the Hamiltonian, which gives rise to new dynamics due to the curvature of spacetime and the acceleration of the trajectory. We then apply our formalism to particle detector models, that is, to the case where the non-relativistic quantum system is coupled to a quantum field in a curved background. This allows one to write a general definition for particle detector models which is able to recover the previous models in the literature. Our framework also allows one to estimate the regime of validity of these models, characterizing the situations where particle detectors can be used to accurately probe quantum fields.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2206_01225
institution arXiv
publishDate 2022
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Localized non-relativistic quantum systems in curved spacetimes: a general characterization of particle detector models
Perche, T. Rick
Quantum Physics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Physics - Theory
In this manuscript we provide a consistent way of describing a localized non-relativistic quantum system undergoing a timelike trajectory in a background curved spacetime. Namely, using Fermi normal coordinates, we identify an inner product and canonically conjugate position and momentum operators defined in the rest space of the trajectory for each value of its proper time. This framework then naturally provides a recipe for mapping a quantum theory defined in a non-relativistic background to a theory around a timelike trajectory in curved spacetimes. This is done by reinterpreting the position and momentum operators and by introducing a local redshift factor to the Hamiltonian, which gives rise to new dynamics due to the curvature of spacetime and the acceleration of the trajectory. We then apply our formalism to particle detector models, that is, to the case where the non-relativistic quantum system is coupled to a quantum field in a curved background. This allows one to write a general definition for particle detector models which is able to recover the previous models in the literature. Our framework also allows one to estimate the regime of validity of these models, characterizing the situations where particle detectors can be used to accurately probe quantum fields.
title Localized non-relativistic quantum systems in curved spacetimes: a general characterization of particle detector models
topic Quantum Physics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Physics - Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2206.01225