Contrasting Classical and Quantum Vacuum States in Non-inertial Frames

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 particular, there is a distinction between the “Minkowski vacuum” for a box at rest in an inertial frame and a “Rindler vacuum” for an accelerating box which has fixed spatial coordinates in an (accelerating) Rindler frame. 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. The behavior of classical zero-point radiation in a noninertial frame is found by tensor transformations and still depends only upon the geodesic separations, now expressed in the non-inertial coordinates. 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. The classical analysis gives no grounds for the “heating effects of acceleration through the vacuum” which appear in the literature of quantum field theory. Thus this distinction provides (in principle) an experimental test to distinguish the two theories.     

Connecting Blackbody Radiation,Relativity, and Discrete Charge in Classical Electrodynamics

It is suggested that an understanding of blackbody radiation within classical physics requires the presence of classical electromagnetic zero-point radiation, the restriction to relativistic (Coulomb) scattering systems, and the use of discrete charge. The contrasting scaling properties of nonrelativistic classical mechanics and classical electrodynamics are noted, and it is emphasized that the solutions of classical electrodynamics found in nature involve constants which connect together the scales of length, time, and energy. Indeed, there are analogies between the electrostatic forces for groups of particles of discrete charge and the van der Waals forces in equilibrium thermal radiation. The differing Lorentz- or Galilean-transformation properties of the zero-point radiation spectrum and the Rayleigh-Jeans spectrum are noted in connection with their scaling properties. Also, the thermal effects of acceleration within classical electromagnetism are related to the existence of thermal equilibrium within a gravitational field. The unique scaling and phase-space properties of a discrete charge in the Coulomb potential suggest the possibility of an equilibrium between the zero-point radiation spectrum and matter which is universal (independent of the particle mass), and an equilibrium between a universal thermal radiation spectrum and matter where the matter phase space depends only upon the ratio mc ²/k _B T. The observations and qualitative suggestions made here run counter to the ideas of currently accepted quantum physics.     

Blackbody Radiation and the Scaling Symmetry of Relativistic Classical Electron Theory with Classical Electromagnetic Zero-Point Radiation

It is pointed out that relativistic classical electron theory with classical electromagnetic zero-point radiation has a scaling symmetry which is suitable for understanding the equilibrium behavior of classical thermal radiation at a spectrum other than the Rayleigh-Jeans spectrum. In relativistic classical electron theory, the masses of the particles are the only scale-giving parameters associated with mechanics while the action-angle variables are scale invariant. The theory thus separates the interaction of the action variables of matter and radiation from the scale-giving parameters. Due to this separation, classical zero-point radiation is invariant under scattering by the charged particles of relativistic classical electron theory. The basic ideas of the matter-radiation interaction are illustrated in a simple relativistic classical electromagnetic example.     

Conformal symmetry of classical electromagnetic zero-point radiation

The two-point correlation functions of classical electromagnetic zero-point radiation fields are evaluated in four-vector notation. The manifestly Lorentz-covariant expressions are then shown to be invariant under scale transformations and under the conformal transformations of Bateman and Cunningham. As a preliminary to the electromagnetic work, analogous results are obtained for a scalar Gaussian random classical field with a Lorentz-invariant spectrum.     

超晶格量子阱的沟道辐射及其谱分布

在经典物理框架内和偶极近似下, 导出了超晶格量子阱沟道辐射频率和辐射谱分布。指出了对于自发辐射谱分布, 存在一个普适的线型因子, 而粒子的最大辐射能量与相对论因子γ 有关, 且与γ3/2成正比。以正弦平方势为例进行了具体讨论。结果表明, 由于势阱深度和噪音的影响, 谐波数l只取少数几个值。超晶格量子阱沟道辐射只存在不多的几条谱线, 为进一步应用提供了可能。最后, 还给出了一种可能的实验方案, 讨论了如何利用弯晶把超晶格量子阱的沟道辐射改造为相干辐射。 In the frame of classical physics and the dipole approximation the radiation frequency and the spectral distribution are derived for the channeling radiation of a charged particle in a superlattice quantum well. It indicated that there is a line type factor f(ξ) suited to various cases in the spontaneous radiations spectrum. Results also show that the maximum radiation energy is proportional to γ3/2 , but the relativistic effects have double effects in the spontaneous radiation of a charged particle. The case for the sine squared potential is discussed specifically. The harmonic number can be defined as a few variable values by the effects of the potential well depth and noise. In general there is a few spectral lines in the channeling radiation spectrum for the superlattice quantum well, and possibilities are provided for further application. Finally, a possible experimental scheme is proposed, and it is discussed that how to transform the channeling radiation in the quantum well into the cohenent radiation by the bent crystal.     

Geometric phase under the Unruh effect with intermediate statistics

Utilizing the geometric phase (GP) acquired in a quantum evolution, we manifest the thermality and quantum nature of the Unruh effect of an accelerating detector. We consider an UDW detector coupling to a conformal field in Minkowski spacetime, whose response spectrum exhibits an intermediate statistics of (1+1) anyon field. We find that comparing to an inertial moving detector, the GP in accelerating frame is modified after the nonunitary evolution of the detector due to the Unruh effect. We show that such modification can distinguish the different thermalizing ways of the detector, which depends on the scaling dimension of the conformal primary field. Finally, we estimate the difference between the GP under the Unruh radiation and that in a thermal bath for a static observer, which reveals the quantum origin of the Unruh effect rather than a conventional thermal noise.     

The reconciliation of physics with cosmology

Astronomical observations of redshifts and the cosmic background radiation show that there is a local frame of reference relative to which the solar system has a well-defined velocity. Also, in cosmology the cosmological principle implies the existence of cosmic time and unique local reference frames at all spacetime points. On the other hand, in a fundamental postulate, the theory of special relativity excludes the possibility of the velocity of the Earth from entering into theories of local physics.The theory put forward in this paper resolves this conflict between local physics and cosmology. The theory retains the essential ingredient of the mathematical structure of special relativity, namely covariance under the Lorentz symmetry group, but changes radically the interpretation of the physical significance of the Lorentz transformation. The theory is based on the postulate that in free space the fundamental interactions in physics are propagated with constant velocity with respect to the local rest frame. In Minkowski spacetime the local rest frame of reference defines a unique time axis and consequently a unique three-dimensional spatial hyperplane. One particularly important result of this is that the theory includes the classical notion of simultaneity. From the fundamental postulate it follows that the equations of local physics, when expressed in terms of the rest frame coordinate system, must be covariant under the Lorentz symmetry group. By the identification of the local rest frame with the (unique) cosmological local reference frame the two theories become mutually consistent.The effects of the motion of the Earth on laboratory experiments are discussed. It is pointed out that existing experimental data do not discriminate between the present theory and that of special relativity: a proposal for an experimental test is made.Address for the academic year 1990–1991: 415 Graduate Studies Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602.     

极强激光场驱动超亮伽马辐射和正负电子对产生的研究进展

高功率超短超强激光脉冲的诞生开启了相对论非线性光学、高强场物理、新型激光聚变、实验室天体物理等前沿领域.近年来,随着数拍瓦级乃至更高峰值功率激光装置的建成,超强激光与等离子体相互作用进入到一个全新的高强场范畴.这种极强激光场与等离子体相互作用蕴含着丰富的物理过程,除了经典的波与粒子作用、相对论效应、有质动力效应等非线性物理过程外,量子电动力学(QED)效应变得格外重要,例如辐射阻尼效应、正负电子对产生、强伽马射线辐射、QED级联、真空极化等.本文主要介绍我们近年来在极端强激光场与等离子体相互作用中激发的QED效应以及伴随的超亮强伽马射线辐射和稠密正负电子对产生等方面的研究进展.     

Radiation spectrum of a high-dimensional rotating black hole

This study extends the classical Damour-Ruffini method and discusses Hawking radiation in a (n + 4)-dimensional rotating black hole. Under the condition that the total energy and angular momentum of spacetime are conservative, but angular momentum a = J/M of unit mass of the black hole is variable, taking into consideration the reaction of the radiation of the particle to the spacetime, a new Tortoise coordinate transformation and discuss the black hole radiation spectrum is discussed. The radiation spectru...     

Spectroscopy of a canonically quantized horizon

Deviations from Hawking's thermal black hole spectrum, observable for macroscopic black holes, are derived from a model of a quantum horizon in loop quantum gravity. These arise from additional area eigenstates present in quantum surfaces excluded by the classical isolated horizon boundary conditions. The complete spectrum of area unexpectedly exhibits evenly spaced symmetry. This leads to an enhancement of some spectral lines on top of the thermal spectrum. This can imprint characteristic features into the spectra of black hole systems. It most notably gives the signature of quantum gravity observability in radiation from primordial black holes, and makes it possible to test loop quantum gravity with black holes well above Planck scale.     

Making the Case for Conformal Gravity

We review some recent developments in the conformal gravity theory that has been advanced as a candidate alternative to standard Einstein gravity. As a quantum theory the conformal theory is both renormalizable and unitary, with unitarity being obtained because the theory is a PT symmetric rather than a Hermitian theory. We show that in the theory there can be no a priori classical curvature, with all curvature having to result from quantization. In the conformal theory gravity requires no independent quantization of its own, with it being quantized solely by virtue of its being coupled to a quantized matter source. Moreover, because it is this very coupling that fixes the strength of the gravitational field commutators, the gravity sector zero-point energy density and pressure fluctuations are then able to identically cancel the zero-point fluctuations associated with the matter sector. In addition, we show that when the conformal symmetry is spontaneously broken, the zero-point structure automatically readjusts so as to identically cancel the cosmological constant term that dynamical mass generation induces. We show that the macroscopic classical theory that results from the quantum conformal theory incorporates global physics effects that provide for a detailed accounting of a comprehensive set of 138 galactic rotation curves with no adjustable parameters other than the galactic mass to light ratios, and with the need for no dark matter whatsoever. With these global effects eliminating the need for dark matter, we see that invoking dark matter in galaxies could potentially be nothing more than an attempt to describe global physics effects in purely local galactic terms. Finally, we review some recent work by ’t Hooft in which a connection between conformal gravity and Einstein gravity has been found.     

Kerr-Newman-de Sitter黑洞辐射谱和熵修正

本文延拓Damour-Ruffini方法,研究Kerr-Newman-de Sitter黑洞的Hawking辐射.在保持时空中总能量,总角动量和总电荷守恒的条件下,考虑辐射粒子对时空的反作用与黑洞事件视界和宇宙视界的相互关联后,得到了黑洞辐射谱.此辐射不再是严格的纯热谱与黑洞事件视界和宇宙视界对应Bekenstein-Hawking熵变有关.研究发现其结果仍然符合幺正性原理.同时给出了黑洞Bekenstein-Hawking熵的修正项.使人们对黑洞热辐射的研究有了进一步的认识.     

Kerr-Newman-de Sitter黑洞辐射谱和熵修正

本文延拓Damour-Ruffini方法,研究Kerr-Newman-de Sitter黑洞的Hawking辐射.在保持时空中总能量,总角动量和总电荷守恒的条件下,考虑辐射粒子对时空的反作用与黑洞事件视界和宇宙视界的相互关联后,得到了黑洞辐射谱.此辐射不再是严格的纯热谱与黑洞事件视界和宇宙视界对应Bekenstein-Hawking熵变有关.研究发现其结果仍然符合幺正性原理. 同时给出了黑洞Bekenstein-Hawking熵的修正项. 使人们对黑洞热辐射的研究有了进一步的认识.     

Conformal aspects of the Palatini approach in Extended Theories of Gravity

The debate on the physical relevance of conformal transformations can be faced by taking the Palatini approach into account gravitational theories. We show that conformal transformations are not only a mathematical tool to disentangle gravitational and matter degrees of freedom (passing from the Jordan frame to the Einstein frame) but they acquire a physical meaning considering the bi-metric structure of Palatini approach which allows to distinguish between spacetime structure and geodesic structure. These facts are relevant at least at cosmological scales, while at small scale (i.e. in the spacetime regions relevant for observations) the conformal factor is slowly varying and its effects are not relevant. Examples of higher-order and non-minimally coupled theories are worked out and relevant cosmological solutions in Einstein frame and Jordan frame are discussed showing that also the interpretation of cosmological observations can drastically change depending on the adopted frame.     

Gyroscopic Precession and Inertial Forces in Axially Symmetric Stationary Spacetimes

We study the phenomenon of gyroscopic precession and the analogues of inertial forces within the framework of general relativity. Covariant connections between the two are established for circular orbits in stationary spacetimes with axial symmetry. Specializing to static spacetimes, we prove that gyroscopic precession and centrifugal force both reverse at the photon orbits. Simultaneous non-reversal of these in the case of stationary spacetimes is discussed. Further insight is gained in the case of static spacetime by considering the phenomena in a spacetime conformal to the original one. Gravi-electric and gravi-magnetic fields are studied and their relation to inertial forces is established.     

Homothetic and conformal symmetries of solutions to Einstein's equations

We present several results about the nonexistence of solutions of Einstein's equations with homothetic or conformal symmetry. We show that the only spatially compact, globally hyperbolic spacetimes admitting a hypersurface of constant mean extrinsic curvature, and also admitting an infinitesimal proper homothetic symmetry, are everywhere locally flat; this assumes that the matter fields either obey certain energy conditions, or are the Yang-Mills or massless Klein-Gordon fields. We find that the only vacuum solutions admitting an infinitesimal proper conformal symmetry are everywhere locally flat spacetimes and certain plane wave solutions. We show that if the dominant energy condition is assumed, then Minkowski spacetime is the only asymptotically flat solution which has an infinitesimal conformal symmetry that is asymptotic to a dilation. In other words, with the exceptions cited, homothetic or conformal Killing fields are in fact Killing in spatially compact or asymptotically flat spactimes. In the conformal procedure for solving the initial value problem, we show that data with infinitesimal conformal symmetry evolves to a spacetime with full isometry.     

Kerr-Newman-Kasuya Black Hole Tunnelling Radiation

The radiation of black hole contributes to the shrinking of the event horizon such that the background spacetime should not be fixed. In this study we take into account the self-gravitation effect to study the radiation of Kerr Newman-Kasuya black hole as tunnelling. Using the facts of energy conservation and angular momentum conservation we derive the tunnelling rate and show that the spectrum of the radiation as tunnelling is not purely thermal.     

Implication of Spatial and Temporal Variations of the Fine-Structure Constant

Temporal and spatial variations of fine-structure constant \(\alpha \equiv e^{2}/\hbar c\) in cosmology have been reported in analysis of combination Keck and VLT data. This paper studies the variations based on consideration of basic spacetime symmetry in physics. Both laboratory α ₀ and distant α _z are deduced from relativistic spectrum equations of atoms (e.g., hydrogen atom) defined in inertial reference systems. When Einstein’s Λ≠0, the metric of local inertial reference systems in SM of cosmology is Beltrami metric instead of Minkowski, and the basic spacetime symmetry has to be de Sitter (dS) group. The corresponding special relativity (SR) is dS-SR. A model based on dS-SR is suggested. Comparing the predictions on α-varying with the data, the parameters are determined. The best-fit dipole mode in α’s spatial varying is reproduced by this dS-SR model. α-varyings in whole sky are also studied. The results are generally in agreement with the estimations of observations. The main conclusion is that the phenomenon of α-varying cosmologically with dipole mode dominating is due to the de Sitter (or anti de Sitter) spacetime symmetry with a Minkowski point in an extended special relativity called de Sitter invariant special relativity (dS-SR) developed by Dirac-Inönü-Wigner-Gürsey-Lee-Lu-Zou-Guo.     

钟速同步的传递性等价于热力学第零定律

平直或弯曲时空中的平衡热辐射,表现出用坐标量表示的普朗克黑体谱.把热平衡系统的辐射具有普朗克黑体谱作为一条基本的物理规律,以此为基础,论证钟速同步的传递性等价于热力学第零定律.钟速同步的条件比建立同时面的条件要弱.满足这一条件的时空,热力学第零定律在其中成立.第零定律成立的时空,一定可以定义统一的钟速. 关键词：