Contrasting classical and quantum vacuum states in non-inertial frames

DOI10.1007/S10701-013-9726-4MaRDI QIDQ368070zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Timothy H. Boyer

Publication date 18 September 2013

Published in Foundations of Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/1204.6036

zbMATH Keywords

quantum field theorystochastic electrodynamicsclassical zero-point radiationnon-inertial framesthermal effects of acceleration

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Quantum optics (81V80) Axiomatic quantum field theory; operator algebras (81T05) Quantum field theory on curved space or space-time backgrounds (81T20) Electromagnetic interaction; quantum electrodynamics (81V10) Stochastic mechanics (including stochastic electrodynamics) (81P20)

Abstract: Classical electron theory with classical electromagnetic zero-point radiation (stochastic electrodynamics) is the classical theory which most closely approximates quantum electrodynamics. Indeed, in inertial frames, there is a general connection between classical field theories with classical zero-point radiation and quantum field theories. However, this connection does not extend to noninertial frames where the time parameter is not a geodesic coordinate. Quantum field theory applies the canonical quantization procedure (depending on the local time coordinate) to a mirror-walled box, and, in general, each non-inertial coordinate frame has its own vacuum state. In complete contrast, the spectrum of random classical zero-point radiation is based upon symmetry principles of relativistic spacetime; in empty space, the correlation functions depend upon only the geodesic separations (and their coordinate derivatives) between the spacetime points. It makes no difference whether a box of classical zero-point radiation is gradually or suddenly set into uniform acceleration; the radiation in the interior retains the same correlation function except for small end-point (Casimir) corrections. Thus in classical theory where zero-point radiation is defined in terms of geodesic separations, there is nothing physically comparable to the quantum distinction between the Minkowski and Rindler vacuum states. It is also noted that relativistic classical systems with internal potential energy must be spatially extended and can not be point systems. Based upon the classical analysis, it is suggested that the claimed heating effects of acceleration through the vacuum may not exist in nature.

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• The Unruh effect and its applications
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Cited in

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• Possible Quantum Interpretation of Certain Power Spectra in Classical Field Theory
• Relativistic quantum field inertia and vacuum field noise spectra

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