Unruh Effect Detection via Decoherence
Published:Dec 29, 2025 22:28
•1 min read
•ArXiv
Analysis
This paper explores an indirect method for detecting the Unruh effect, a fundamental prediction of quantum field theory. The Unruh effect, which posits that an accelerating observer perceives a vacuum as a thermal bath, is notoriously difficult to verify directly. This work proposes using decoherence, the loss of quantum coherence, as a measurable signature of the effect. The extension of the detector model to the electromagnetic field and the potential for observing the effect at lower accelerations are significant contributions, potentially making experimental verification more feasible.
Key Takeaways
- •Proposes an indirect method for detecting the Unruh effect using decoherence.
- •Extends a previously developed detector model to the electromagnetic field.
- •Suggests the possibility of observing the Unruh effect at lower accelerations, potentially improving experimental feasibility.
Reference
“The paper demonstrates that the decoherence decay rates differ between inertial and accelerated frames and that the characteristic exponential decay associated with the Unruh effect can be observed at lower accelerations.”