Gravitational effects on a dissipative two-level atom in the weak-field regime

Fuente: arXiv
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Autores principales: Kashiwagi, Kaito, Matsumura, Akira
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2026
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author Kashiwagi, Kaito
Matsumura, Akira
author_facet Kashiwagi, Kaito
Matsumura, Akira
contents We investigate the dissipative dynamics of a two-level atom in a weak gravitational field. Using the Feynman--Vernon influence functional formalism, we derive a quantum master equation describing the two-level atom interacting with a scalar field in a Newtonian gravitational field, and compute the energy dissipation rate of the atom. We find that the spontaneous emission rate (the dissipation rate in vacuum) is modified by the gravitational field. Specifically, this modification depends on the atom's dipole, the position of the atom relative to the source of the gravitational field, and the frequency of the scalar radiation emitted by the atom. Furthermore, we identify the parameter regimes in which the spontaneous emission rate is enhanced or suppressed by gravity. We also discuss how the modification arises from time dilation and dipole radiation in a weak gravitational field. These findings provide a theoretical basis for exploring gravitational effects in open quantum systems.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_01715
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Gravitational effects on a dissipative two-level atom in the weak-field regime
Kashiwagi, Kaito
Matsumura, Akira
Quantum Physics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
We investigate the dissipative dynamics of a two-level atom in a weak gravitational field. Using the Feynman--Vernon influence functional formalism, we derive a quantum master equation describing the two-level atom interacting with a scalar field in a Newtonian gravitational field, and compute the energy dissipation rate of the atom. We find that the spontaneous emission rate (the dissipation rate in vacuum) is modified by the gravitational field. Specifically, this modification depends on the atom's dipole, the position of the atom relative to the source of the gravitational field, and the frequency of the scalar radiation emitted by the atom. Furthermore, we identify the parameter regimes in which the spontaneous emission rate is enhanced or suppressed by gravity. We also discuss how the modification arises from time dilation and dipole radiation in a weak gravitational field. These findings provide a theoretical basis for exploring gravitational effects in open quantum systems.
title Gravitational effects on a dissipative two-level atom in the weak-field regime
topic Quantum Physics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.01715