Quantum direct cause across the Cherenkov threshold in circuit QED

Abstract

We investigate the Cherenkov radiation triggered by qubit acceleration simulated by superconducting circuit. By analyzing the radiation probability, we confirm the existence of Cherenkov speed threshold, implying that simulating superluminal qubit motion is possible for such a scenario. A question immediately arises: Is such motion compatible with the causality principle? To address the question, we perform a causality test on the simulating system based on the recently developed notion of temporal quantum correlations, pseudo-density matrix and temporal quantum steering. The results suggest that single-mode approximation breaks down even when the system is restricted in weak coupling regime.