Abstract
An accelerating photodetector is predicted to see photons in the electromagnetic vacuum. However, the extreme accelerations required have prevented the direct experimental verification of this quantum vacuum effect. In this work, we consider many accelerating photodetectors that are contained within an electromagnetic cavity. We show that the resulting photon production from the cavity vacuum can be collectively enhanced such as to be measurable. The combined cavity-photodetectors system maps onto a parametrically driven Dicke-type model; when the detector number exceeds a certain critical value, the vacuum photon production undergoes a phase transition from a normal phase to an enhanced superradiant-like, inverted lasing phase. Such a model may be realized as a mechanical membrane with a dense concentration of optically active defects undergoing gigahertz flexural motion within a superconducting microwave cavity. We provide estimates suggesting that recent related experimental devices are close to demonstrating this inverted, vacuum photon lasing phase.
Highlights
An accelerating photodetector is predicted to see photons in the electromagnetic vacuum
For the possible realization considered below, the dominant two level system (TLS) relaxation channel is through phonon emission[23,24], and since as mentioned above the phonon wavelength is much smaller than the extent of the TLS distribution, we model the TLSs as coupled to approximately independent environments
The effective While such an instability indicates a breakdown of the above Holsteinq–ffiPffiffirffiffiiffimffiffiffiffiaffiffikffiffiffioffi ff (H–P) derived approximation method, it does point to the existence of an enhanced vacuum photon production phase for N > Ncrit = γcγd/ (4λ2) in the original cavity-TLSs model dynamics given by Eqs
Summary
An accelerating photodetector is predicted to see photons in the electromagnetic vacuum. Direct interaction terms between the detectors are not considered in our model; as we show later below, coherent enhancements in the photon production from vacuum can occur as a consequence of the detectors coupling via the cavity field, provided the average spacing between neighbouring detectors is much smaller than the resonant cavity field mode wavelength.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
